Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei says Israel’s killing of top Hezbollah commanders will not defeat the Iranian-backed Lebanese group, The Times of Israel reports.

“Some of Hezbollah’s capable and valuable forces were martyred, which undoubtedly damaged Hezbollah, but it is not what could bring the organization to its knees,” he said during a speech to a gathering of military personnel and veterans of the Iran-Iraq war. .

“Hezbollah’s organizational strength and human resources are very strong and will not be decisively affected by the death of a top commander, even if it is a clear loss,” Ayatollah Khamenei said.

“The Palestinian and Lebanese resistance will achieve the final victory,” he said, adding that Israel is killing civilians because it is unable to defeat its enemies.

Ayatollah Khamenei has blamed the US for the escalation of hostilities in Lebanon, despite Washington’s assurances that it was not aware of Israel’s plans in advance.

“The US knows and is involved,” he said, adding that Joe Biden’s administration “needs a victory for the Zionist regime before the November elections.”