Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei stated on Wednesday that the assassination of Hezbollah commanders will not incapacitate the group, following Israel’s targeted strikes against high-ranking members of the Iran-supported organization during a series of intense air raids across Lebanon.

Khamenei emphasized that Hezbollah’s organizational capabilities and manpower are robust enough to withstand the loss of a senior leader, despite it being a significant setback.

According to Lebanon‘s health minister, Israel‘s recent military campaign against Hezbollah has resulted in 569 fatalities since Monday. This marks the most lethal assault on Lebanon in nearly twenty years, occurring after almost a year of conflict between Israel and the militant group Hamas in Gaza.

Khamenei asserted that the “Palestinian and Lebanese resistance will ultimately prevail,” accusing Israel of targeting civilians due to its inability to overcome its adversaries.

Iran has been a supporter of Hezbollah since the group’s formation in Lebanon in 1982. Khamenei has accused Washington of contributing to the rising tensions in Lebanon, which have intensified following recent attacks that damaged pagers and handheld radios provided by Hezbollah.

He contended that despite U.S. claims of ignorance regarding Israeli plans, “the U.S. is both aware and involved,” further stating that President Joe Biden’s administration requires a success for the Zionist regime ahead of the upcoming presidential election in November.