Hezbollah deputy leader Naim Qassem issued a stark warning to the Lebanese government on Friday, saying that any attempt to confront the Iran-backed militant group would lead to severe national consequences.

“There will be no life in Lebanon if the government chooses confrontation,” Qassem said in a public address, escalating tensions between Hezbollah and the political establishment amid growing domestic and international pressure.

The comments come as Lebanon faces mounting calls to curtail the influence of Hezbollah, which continues to operate as a heavily armed militia outside of the national military framework. Critics argue that the group’s dominance over political and security affairs has contributed to Lebanon’s ongoing political paralysis and economic collapse.

Qassem’s warning is seen by many as a direct challenge to state sovereignty, and underscores the deepening power struggle between Hezbollah and factions within the Lebanese government seeking to restore national authority over all armed actors.

Background and Regional Context

Hezbollah, designated a terrorist organization by the U.S. and several other countries, holds significant sway in Lebanon’s Parliament and wields de facto control over portions of southern Lebanon. It has also played a central role in regional conflicts, including the Syrian civil war and the recent flare-ups along the Israeli border.

The group’s growing alignment with Iranian military and political interests has drawn concern from Western and Gulf states, as well as from segments of the Lebanese public calling for neutrality and disarmament.

Qassem’s comments come at a time when Lebanon is under pressure to implement reforms in exchange for stalled international financial assistance.