Iran vows to avenge assassinated Hezbollah leader fuelling fears of wider war | BBC News

Hezbollah has confirmed the death of its leader, Hassan Nasrallah, after a series of massive Israeli airstrikes on Lebanon’s capital Beirut. Nasrallah, who had not been seen in public for years because of fears of being assassinated by Israel, was one of the most influential figures in the Middle East. Ali Karki, the commander of Hezbollah’s southern front, and other Hezbollah military leaders were also killed in the attack on Beirut’s southern suburb of Dahiyeh, according to the Israeli military. Hezbollah confirmed Nasrallah’s death and vowed to keep up the fight against Israel “in support of Gaza and Palestine, and in defence of Lebanon”. Iran, the main backer of Hezbollah, declared five days of national mourning. Iran’s Supreme Leader declared that Nasrallah’s death “will not go unavenged“ Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said his country had “settled the score” with Nasrallah’s death and described his assassination as an “historic turning point” which cou