« Iran's Revolutionary Guards are running the war »

Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam delivered a sweeping and unusually candid interview to Saudi channel Al-Hadath Sunday evening, laying bare the full extent of Iran's direct military command over Hezbollah in Lebanon,  and reaffirming his government's determination to end the conflict through direct negotiations with Israel.

In his most explosive revelation, Salam confirmed that Iranian Revolutionary Guards are directly commanding Hezbollah's military operations in the current war against Israel.

"It is the Revolutionary Guards who are present and who, unfortunately, are directing the military operation in Lebanon," he stated. "These people falsified passports and entered the country illegally."

Salam cited the IRGC's own announcement of joint operations with Hezbollah against Israel as evidence of their command role — and pointed to the Iranian-made drone that struck a British base in Cyprus earlier this month, which Nicosia assessed was launched by Hezbollah from Lebanese territory.

The Lebanese government has already issued a ban on all IRGC activities on its soil.

Salam was equally blunt about Hezbollah's responsibility for dragging Lebanon into the conflict.

"Is it our role to provoke Israel or to avenge the death of Ali Khamenei? That is not Lebanon's role. This war is by definition the war of others fought on our soil," he declared, dismissing Hezbollah's argument that Israel would have attacked Lebanon regardless.

He reaffirmed that his government — which received parliamentary confidence twice, including with Hezbollah's own vote,  remains the country's sole legitimate authority. "No state can survive if there are multiple centers of decision and two armies. The state is the only guarantor for all Lebanese."

Walking a careful line, Salam made clear he seeks neither confrontation nor surrender.

"I am not calling for a confrontation with Hezbollah,  on the contrary, I want to avoid it. But I will not yield to Hezbollah's blackmail and I am asking it to respect the government's decisions," he stated firmly.

Acknowledging criticism over the slow implementation of government decisions, he said: "I would have liked to act faster, but we inherited long years of inaction. We have begun arresting Hezbollah members found with illegal weapons."

Direct Negotiations With Israel - Still on the Table

On President Joseph Aoun's initiative for direct Lebanon-Israel negotiations to end the war, Salam confirmed: "This initiative is still very much alive on our side" — while acknowledging the obstacles that remain.

"Ending this conflict is our absolute priority. All diplomatic efforts are being deployed toward that goal - which is why we proposed direct negotiations."

Asked about the Hezbollah-linked terror networks dismantled in Kuwait and the UAE this week, Salam confirmed he had personally contacted both governments.

"I told them we will do everything possible to help them dismantle these networks operating in their countries," he said — reiterating Lebanon's strong condemnation of Iranian attacks on Gulf soil.

In a striking closing statement, Salam dismissed rumors of a cabinet reshuffle to replace Hezbollah and Amal ministers - and ended the interview with words that spoke volumes about the pressure he is under:

"I am not afraid for my life. My conscience is clear."