Election propaganda? The Hezbollah terrorist organization launched a campaign via the WhatsApp and Telegram instant messaging applications on Tuesday that targeting senior Israeli politicians and other public figures.
Individuals who were added to the messaging groups reported that the groups had been organized by an unidentified phone number from Lebanon, which sent menacing messages on behalf of the terrorist organization. Among the people invited to the group were ministerial spokespeople, journalists and senior lawmakers.
One of the messages includes a photo of former Hezbollah military commander Imad Mughniyeh, who was assassinated in Damascus in 2008, with the caption: "Revenge is inevitable, and the goal is clear, specific and precise – removing Israel from existence."
The messages were primarily Hezbollah propaganda, and the unusual initiative appears designed to coincide with Israeli election season. Defense officials in Israel have been notified of the Hezbollah campaign.
Also on Tuesday, Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif met in Beirut with Hezbollah leader Sheikh Hassan Nasrallah, who recently voiced his desire to arm the U.S.-backed Lebanese army with Iranian weapons.
Zarif reiterated his country's readiness to offer Iranian military assistance to the Lebanese army to help counter "Israeli aggression," adding that it is up to the Lebanese to choose what they want.
Some Lebanese politicians have expressed reservations over the offer from Iran, which is under U.S. sanctions. They fear Western nations may punish Lebanon if it accepts arms from Tehran.
Iran has also offered to help improve Lebanon's crumbling power sector.
"I want to confirm again that the Islamic Republic of Iran is ready to cooperate with the Lebanese government and the Lebanese army in any field they see suitable," Zarif said.
"We don't want to embarrass anyone in Lebanon through the cooperation with the Islamic republic," he said, adding that there is no international law that bans Iran from cooperating with any country.
