Salam slams Iran 'unprecedented' grip on Hezbollah after Nasrallah killing

Prime Minister Nawaf Salam sharply criticized Tehran's intentions toward Lebanon, stating that its insistence on including the country in any ceasefire deal was calculated to signal to the world that ultimate decision-making power over Lebanon rests exclusively in Iranian hands.

It is glaringly obvious why Iran rejected the ceasefire agreement, Salam told British newspaper The Times. "Tehran wanted to broadcast to the entire international community that Lebanon is nothing more than a card in its pocket — and that they alone decide on our behalf, holding the final word."

The Prime Minister underscored the staggering depth of Iranian influence within Hezbollah. "Things were entirely different during the era of late Secretary-General Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah. Nasrallah was a major, foundational architect of the joint decision-making process. He maintained a strong voice and a level of relative autonomy."

Today, however, Salam observed that Iran dictates terms to Hezbollah in an unprecedented, direct, and decisive manner.