Radio Goftogoo’s “Rouydad” program had a phone call interview with Mehdi Shakibaei, an Iranian expert on regional affairs, discussing Hezbollah Secretary General, Seyed Hassan Nasrallah’s recent remarks.
Mehdi Shakibaei stated that Seyyed Hassan Nasrallah's speech raised a challenge not only in the scene of developments in Lebanon, but also in regional and international equations; “After years of refusal and sabotage of Western powers in trade and economic relations between Iran and Lebanon, after the living conditions and especially the fuel of the Lebanese people reached a critical stage, Seyyed Hassan Nasrallah raised issues in his two speeches made on the day of Ashura and then on Sunday.”
He added; “In his remarks, Seyyed Hassan Nasrallah raised issues regarding the import of fuel from the Islamic Republic of Iran, which was met with numerous domestic, regional and global reactions.”
* Breaking the US siege on Iranian fuel
The Iranian regional expert spoke about foreign and strategic aspects of importing fuel from Iran; “Importing fuel from Iran to Lebanon affects the Americans credibility in two ways. After the Islamic Republic of Iran was able to break the American siege on Venezuela, which had a fuel crisis, this action of Islamic Republic of Iran, which was initiated by Seyyed Hassan Nasrallah, is the second measure that Iran was able to take. In this way, besides lifting other pressures imposed by the Americans on Lebanon, Iran could break the deadly economic and fuel blockade in this country.”
He continued; “Sailing of Iranian ships towards Lebanon had globally indicated that the Islamic Republic of Iran was able to break the second siege of the United States. This means that we have been able to sell our oil products and furthermore, we could help the Lebanese to break the US siege, and this can prepare the ground for trade relations between the Islamic Republic of Iran and other countries, especially in the Eastern countries.”
* Resolving the food and drug crisis besides that of fuel in Lebanon
Regarding the internal dimensions of this incident, Shakibaei mentioned; “At the domestic level, the most significant dimension of this issue is that it can be effective in resolving the food and medicine crisis and controlling the economic situation in Lebanon. The Lebanese people have been facing many problems, especially in terms of food supply, since two years ago, when the Lebanese government was still unable to establish a head of state due to the sabotage of the Saudis, the Americans and the Zionist regime. The Americans didn’t allow large Eastern and Western companies to sell fuel to Lebanon since they wanted a government aligned with the West to take power in Lebanon.”
He stressed; “Fuel export to Lebanon can improve the fuel crisis, it can further be effective in resolving food and even medicine crisis, and can help Lebanese manage their economy without depending on Western countries.”
Regarding other internal aspects of the move, the regional expert said; “Taking this measure, Seyyed Hassan Nasrallah, succeeded in rescuing the Lebanese people from the fuel crisis, and once again he was known as a savior in this country, just as he did in 2006.”
He continued; “Also, with this move, it was proved to the Lebanese people that some Arab countries around the Persian Gulf, such as the Saudis and the UAE, were opposed to this action by Hezbollah, and other than Saad Hariri and Samir Geagea, they should be considered as the main enemy of Lebanese nation. Along with Western and American authorities, the Saudis played a determining role in the Lebanese crisis.”
* Prevent hoarding of large American companies
Shakibaei noted that this move freed the Lebanese fuel market of American companies’ monopoly; “It also offered the Lebanese a variety of options so that they could then adapt to their economic situation.”
He then referred to the reaction of the Zionists and said; “They didn’t think that the Lebanese could take a practical initiative. The Zionists do not know what to do; if they don’t attack the Iranian ships, these ships will reach Lebanon and Seyyed Hassan Nasrallah will succeed, and if they attack, they will be warned by Seyyed Hassan Nasrallah and may face a greater and wider war which make it even worse for them.”
