Iran Calls for Stronger “Resistance” Defense Belt From Afghanistan to Lebanon

DID Press: Esmail Qaani, commander of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps’ Quds Force, has called for greater unity among the various fronts of the so-called “Axis of Resistance,” following the withdrawal of U.S. forces from Iraq.

Qaani said U.S. and allied calculations regarding Iran had failed and argued that the defense belt of the resistance front, stretching from Afghanistan to Yemen and from Iran to Gaza and Lebanon, should be further strengthened.He said stronger coordination would allow the front to respond to what he described as enemy actions through carefully calculated measures.

The remarks come after the United States completed the withdrawal of its military forces from Iraq at the end of September. Reuters reported that Iran and its allied armed groups portrayed the withdrawal as a strategic gain, while analysts said it could increase Tehran’s influence in Iraq.