Iranian cleric says STL ceremonial, seeking to take revenge for Israel’s defeat in Lebanon

Tehran's interim Friday Prayers leader Ayatollah Ahmad Jannati said on Friday that the Special Tribunal for Lebanon is seeking to take revenge for Israel’s defeat in the face of Hezbollah in the famous July 2006 war, and downplayed the move as futile.

Addressing worshippers in the Iranian capital, Ayatollah Jannati blamed the US and Israel for involvement in the 2005 assassination of former Lebanese Premier Rafiq Hariri and accused them of manipulating the international court charged with probing the murder.

Ayatollah Jannati said that the tribunal was set up to help Washington and Tel Aviv avenge the losses the Israeli army suffered in its July 2006 war against Lebanon. While confirming that the Americans and Israelis interfere in this tribunal, he warned that the court’s investigation committee reveals intelligence to the enemy. “They want to avenge the defeat in the 33-day war with this propaganda against Hezbollah,” he pointed out.

The Iranian cleric, however, downplayed the move as futile. “Hezbollah is strong and is God's party, and the Americans should know that this party of God is invincible,” Ayatollah Jannati stated.