The Islamic Republic has boosted its financial support to the Lebanese Hezbollah to more than $800 million a year, a dramatic increase from $200 million; Israeli media quoted “reports” as saying.
Based on Jerusalem Post and “Walla!” news website, Iran has also spent hundreds of millions of dollars for its militia in Iraq, Syria, as well as supporting Houthi rebels in Yemen who are fighting pro-government forces backed by a Saudi-led coalition.
Iran’s real financial support for Hezbollah has long been a subject of interest for regional governments and Western analysts.
Besides regular annual assistance, Iran must have spent more money on Hezbollah during several military clashes with Israel and Israeli retaliatory bombings of Hezbollah targets.
During the 2006 Hezbollah-Israel large-scale war, Israel unleashed heavy air attacks on suspected Hezbollah positions and arms depots.
The attacks wrecked destruction in Shiite areas and it was widely reported at the time that Iran paid cash handouts even to civilians whose homes might have sustained damages.
Moreover, Israeli army’s estimates show that the Islamic Republic pays 6-7 million dollars to Palestinian organizations in Gaza Strip, each year.
Israeli army’s estimation was published on Thursday, September 14, at the end of a two week military war games in north of the country.
Earlier, Israeli commanders had said that the main aim of the exercises, the biggest in almost two decades, was practicing war operations against the Lebanese Hezbollah.
Israel’s latest expression of concern over Tehran’s increased financial supportfor its important military ally in the region has coincided with Hezbollah declaring its “victory” in Syria.