00:20What if the next major Middle East flashpoint isn't Iran itself, but southern Lebanon?
00:27A fiery warning from one of Iran's most powerful military commanders is now raising exactly
00:35that possibility.
00:37Ismail Qani, the commander of Iran's elite IRGC Quds Force, has issued a direct message
00:44to Israel, declaring that Israeli forces will be kicked out of southern Lebanon if they
00:50continue what he described as occupation and aggression.
00:54In a statement posted on social media and amplified by Iranian media outlets, Qani warned that
01:02Israel faces a repeat of what happened in the year 2000, when Israeli troops withdrew from
01:08southern Lebanon after nearly two decades of military presence.
01:13According to Qani, if Israeli forces do not leave voluntarily, they will face what he called
01:20humiliation and defeat.
01:22The Iranian commander also claimed that Israel had suffered heavy losses in recent fighting,
01:29alleging that more than 100 Israeli personnel had been killed in less than four days.
01:35That figure, however, remains disputed and has not been independently verified.
01:40The warning comes at a sensitive moment.
01:43A fragile U.S.-brokered ceasefire remains in place following months of intense clashes between
01:50Israel and Hezbollah.
01:52Despite diplomatic efforts, tensions along the Lebanon-Israel border continue to simmer, with
01:59both sides accusing each other of violating ceasefire understandings.
02:03Israel has maintained military positions in parts of southern Lebanon, arguing that the presence
02:10is necessary to prevent future attacks and secure northern Israeli communities.
02:16Iran, meanwhile, continues to back Hezbollah politically and militarily through its so-called
02:23Axis of Resistance network across the region.
02:26Qani's remarks are being viewed as more than just rhetoric.
02:30Analysts say the statement is designed to increase pressure on Israel, while reassuring Hezbollah
02:37supporters that Iran remains committed to the Lebanese front, even as Tehran engages in
02:44broader diplomatic talks with Washington.
02:46The reference to the year 2000 is particularly significant.
02:51For Iran and Hezbollah, Israel's withdrawal from southern Lebanon remains a symbol of resistance
02:57and victory.
02:58By invoking that moment, Qani is signaling that Tehran believes history could repeat itself.
03:05Whether this is simply a war of words or a sign of renewed escalation remains unclear.
03:12But one thing is certain.
03:14Despite ceasefire efforts and ongoing diplomacy, southern Lebanon remains one of the most volatile
03:21fronts in the Middle East.
03:22And Iran's latest warning suggests the battle over Lebanon's future is far from over.
03:39To be continued...
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