Iran condemns Israeli airspace violation over Nasrallah’s funeral as ‘terrorism against civilians
Israeli jets fly during the public funeral ceremony of Hezbollah leaders Hassan Nasrallah and Hashem Safieddine, who were killed in Israeli airstrikes last year, on the outskirts of Beirut, Lebanon, February 23, 2025. (Photo: REUTERS/Ali Allouch)
Iran has strongly condemned Israel’s violation of Lebanese sovereignty, branding it a “vicious act of terrorism against civilians.”
The reaction came after Israeli warplanes flew low over Beirut on Sunday, February 23, as hundreds of thousands gathered for the funeral of former Hezbollah leader Sayyid Hassan Nasrallah and his designated successor, Hashem Safieddine.
Nasrallah and Safieddine were both assassinated by Israel last year during its military invasion of Lebanon.
He was killed in a targeted strike on Hezbollah headquarters in southern Beirut on September 27, while Safieddine was eliminated days later on October 3 in a similar operation. The attacks also claimed the lives of scores of Lebanese civilians.
In Tehran and other Iranian cities, memorial ceremonies were held to honor the slain Hezbollah leaders. Attendees denounced Israeli occupation and foreign interventions, vowing continued resistance.
Despite Israel’s military campaign, Iranian officials, including President Masoud Pezeshkian, dismissed the notion that eliminating leaders would weaken Hezbollah.
Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) echoed the sentiment, emphasizing that Hezbollah remains resilient in its struggle against Israeli occupation, particularly in al-Quds and other contested Islamic lands.
