Hezbollah thanks Iran for retaliation, calls for closer Lebanon-Tehran ties Following Iran's retaliatory strikes against Israel for attacks on Beirut, Hezbollah thanked Tehran and urged the Lebanese government to strengthen ties with the Islamic Republic, according to Haaretz. The group issued a statement on Tuesday calling on Lebanese authorities to seize this opportunity to “correct their official relations with the Islamic Republic in a way that serves the interests of both countries”. It emphasised that ongoing truce talks between the US and Iran offer an opportunity for Lebanon to achieve its key national goals, specifically "the liberation of their land, the return of displaced persons, reconstruction, and safeguarding national sovereignty".