Who is the next leader of Hezbollah?
September 28, 20242 Mins Read

International Desk: Hezbollah leader Hasan Nasrullah was killed in an Israeli attack. Hezbollah is under a lot of pressure after losing Nasrullah, who has been the leader for a long time. In the midst of this, discussions have started on who could be the next leader of Hezbollah. The name of Hashem Safyeddin is at the top of this list.

Hijbullah

Born in 1964 in Deir Qanun al-Nahr in southern Lebanon, Hashem has been a key figure in Hezbollah for nearly three decades. He had been preparing for the succession since 1994 and moved from Qom, the epicenter of Iran's Shia circles, to Beirut to head the executive council, considered the party's government.

Hashem effectively served as the chief executive officer of the organization. He was the right hand of Nasrullah. He led the organization for more than 30 years after the Lebanese civil war.
Hashem also has excellent relations with Tehran. He has a direct telephone line to the office of the Supreme Leader of the Islamic Republic of Iran, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, and may also be in contact with previous Iranian presidents.

Sources close to the organization say Nasrullah was groomed for leadership before his death. He was created under the guidance of former Hezbollah security chief Imad Mughniyeh.

In 2020, Hashem's relationship with Iran became stronger. His son married the daughter of former Iranian Quds Force commander Qassem Soleimani, who was killed in a US airstrike in Baghdad.

Hashem Safyeddin Hassan Nasrullah's cousin. He wears the signature black turban as a descendant of the Holy Prophet Muhammad (PBUH). He was listed as a terrorist by the United States in 2017.

Hashem Safyeddin has family ties and physical resemblance to Nasrallah. It is claimed that he is a descendant of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH). Because of this he has a special religious status. These things will be helpful for him to take control of Hezbollah.

Hashem is very vocal in his criticism of US policies. Responding to American pressure on Hezbollah, he said in 2017 that the mentally deranged, insane US administration, led by Trump, cannot harm the resistance movement. Their move will only strengthen Hezbollah's resolve.