Iran slammed Germany’s decision to ban Hezbollah from its country and said the decision was a result of the United States and Israel’s “propaganda machine.”
In a surprise move on Thursday, Germany announced that the entire Lebanese terrorist organization would be banned from operating on German soil. It also raided a number of mosques affiliated with the group in the early morning hours. Iran, which funds and provides logistical support to Hezbollah, responded to the decision on Friday.
A statement from Iran’s foreign ministry “strongly” condemned the decision and said it was based on the “propaganda machine of the Zionists and America’s confused regime,” according to the Times of Israel.
Iran said the move showed “complete disrespect to the government and nation of Lebanon, as Hezbollah is a formal and legitimate part of the country’s government and parliament.” Some countries, including the European Union as a whole, have banned the “military” wing of the group but not the “political” wing. The U.S. has pushed back on those distinctions and said they are one and the same.
The statement from Iran said that Hezbollah has played a “key role” in combating the Islamic State group, which at one point had a sizable territorial caliphate that covered large swaths of Iraq and Syria. Iran has supported Bashar Assad’s allied Syrian government in its fight against ISIS, and Hezbollah has sent militants into Syria to assist.
“The German government must face the negative consequences of its decision in the fight against real terrorist groups in the region,” the Iranian regime said.
Despite Hezbollah’s anti-ISIS stance, Hezbollah is seen as an existential threat to Israel, whose top leaders, including Hassan Nasrallah, have called for its elimination. The group has also killed Israeli citizens in rocket attacks.
Israeli Foreign Minister Israel Katz touted the ban, calling it “a significant step in the global fight against terrorism.” He also called on the EU to also impose its own ban against the terrorist group.
The U.S. State Department lauded Germany’s decision in a statement.
“We commend Germany for banning Hizballah in its entirety as a terrorist organization and for taking strong action against suspected Hizballah supporters,” the statement read. “Obstructing this terrorist organization’s ability to plot terrorist attacks and to raise money will further reduce Iran’s malign behavior and influence.”
