Naim Kassem, deputy secretary general of Hezbollah and considered one of Nasrallah’s possible successors, reportedly took refuge in Tehran.
According to sources in the Israeli armed forces, the reason for Kasem’s “escape” is the concerns that led the organization’s personnel to threats to kill him launched by Israel.
Qassem, according to the same sources, had already given speeches from Iran, emphasizing Hezbollah’s resistance against Israel. The extent of Qassem’s power within Hezbollah remains unclear, as Qassem Safieddin, another senior official, is considered the most likely successor.
At the same time, a leaked document from the Iranian Interior Ministry reveals that the entire country is in a state of complete security alarmwith current alert to governmental and non-governmental agencies to be ready about a possible Israeli attack.
The document emphasizes the necessary cooperation that intelligence agencies must have with military circles to implement preventive measures and calls on all departments involved to remain alert and respond to instructions in the event of an Israeli attack.