TEHRAN – Iran's interim foreign minister, Ali Baqeri Kani, has delivered a strong message to Israel, cautioning that any incursion into Lebanon would lead to an “eternal hell” for the Zionist regime.

Speaking to reporters on Wednesday, Baqeri Kani emphasized the role of Hezbollah, Lebanon's powerful resistance movement, in creating a deterrent force in the region. He asserted that Hezbollah's active military and diplomatic presence in Lebanon is a key factor in the war equation, making any attempt to invade a formidable challenge for Israel. “An all-out war on Lebanon will definitely turn into an eternal hell for the Zionist regime,” he stated. 

Turning to the potential visit of Saudi King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud to Iran, Baqeri Kani stated that the trip is firmly on the agenda for both countries. However, he clarified that any potential development in Tehran-Riyadh relations will be pursued after the next Iranian administration takes office.

Addressing the possibility of Donald Trump becoming the next U.S. president, Baqeri Kani stressed that the Islamic Republic's policies are not contingent on changes in other countries' administrations. While acknowledging the importance of monitoring potential shifts in the international landscape, including developments in the United States, he affirmed that the Iranian strategic policies remain unaffected. He emphasized that the next Iranian administration will take decisive action in response to any changes in the international arena.

Baqeri Kani’s remarks come after multiple Iranian officials made similar warnings against Israel in the past days. An advisor to the Leader of the Islamic Revolution told the Financial Times that Iran would back Hezbollah “by all means” if Israel decides to attack Lebanon. “There would be a chance of expansion of the war to the whole region, in which all countries including Iran would become engaged. In that situation, we would have no choice, but to support Hezbollah by all means,” Kamal Kharazi said, adding that “the expansion of war is not in the interest of anyone — not Iran or the U.S.”

Analysts believe that despite Israel’s saber rattling, the regime faces significant hurdles in launching an invasion into Lebanon.