Hezbollah’s deputy secretary general, Naim Qassem, has reportedly fled crisis-stricken Lebanon and is now residing in Tehran, according to local media sources. The move, reportedly ordered by Iranian leaders, is seen as a precautionary measure amidst rising concerns for Qassem’s safety, as he is believed to be a potential target of an Israeli assassination.

Escape to Tehran amid safety concerns

UAE-based Erem News, citing an Iranian source, reported that Qassem left Beirut on October 5. His departure came aboard an aircraft used by Iran’s Foreign Minister, Abbas Araghchi, during a state visit to Lebanon and Syria. The source stated, "His transfer was ordered by top leaders of the Islamic Republic for fear of assassination by the Israel government."

Qassem, a key figure in Hezbollah, is allegedly on Israel’s list of wanted individuals. These developments follow heightened tensions in the region, with Hezbollah's leadership under increased threat.

Naim Qassem’s role and Hezbollah’s strategy

Naim Qassem, now Hezbollah's highest-ranking official following the reported death of Secretary-General Hassan Nasrallah in an Israeli attack on September 27, had recently emphasized the need for a ceasefire to resolve the ongoing conflict in Lebanon. On October 15, Qassem warned Israel that a ceasefire was the only viable solution to end the war, signaling that Hezbollah would not cease its operations unless a truce was reached.

“We support the political efforts that [Lebanese Parliament Speaker] Nabih Berri is undertaking towards a ceasefire,” Qassem said in a televised speech. He further stated, "Since the Israeli enemy targeted all of Lebanon, we have the right from a defensive position to target any place in Israel, whether the centre, the north or the south."

Conflict and casualties in Lebanon

The ongoing conflict between Israel and Hezbollah has led to devastating consequences in Lebanon, claiming over 1,000 lives in the past two weeks. The violence has also resulted in the displacement of more than a million people. Despite the escalating conflict, Qassem reiterated that Hezbollah would continue its resistance, stating, “I am telling the Israeli home front: the solution is a ceasefire... the resistance will not be defeated because this is its land.”

Qassem's statements reflect Hezbollah's strategic shift to increase pressure on Israel, aiming to make the conflict increasingly costly for the Israeli side while calling for a truce.