By Daniel Edu
In a startling revelation, Sayyed Issa Tabatabai, the representative of Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei in Lebanon, publicly admitted Iran’s role in the horrific bombing that resulted in the deaths of 241 American military and diplomatic personnel in Beirut during the early 1980s. The Middle East Media Research Institute (MEMRI) unearthed and translated this significant interview.
The state-controlled Islamic Republic News Agency (IRNA) initially published Tabatabai’s statement, but it was later removed. Fortunately, MEMRI retained a copy of the interview. Iran, along with its ally, the U.S.-designated terrorist organization Hezbollah in Lebanon, has long been suspected of involvement in the bombings, including the 1983 attack on the U.S. Embassy in Beirut, which claimed the lives of 63 people, including 17 Americans, and the dual suicide tuck bombings targeting American and French members of a multinational force, resulting in the deaths of 220 U.S. Marines, 18 U.S. Navy sailors, and 3 U.S. Army soldiers. Fifty-eight French troops also lost their lives in that horrific attack.
Tabatabai’s interview with IRNA0 revealed disturbing details, with him stating, “I quickly went to Lebanon and provided what was needed in order to [carry out] martyrdom operations in the place where the Americans and Israelis were.” He also mentioned the establishment of Hezbollah in the Baalbek area and the signing of martyrdom contracts by supporters of the Islamic Revolution.
Th0e removal of the interview segment in which Tabatabai acknowledged receiving a fatwa from Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini for attacks on American and Israeli targets in Lebanon indicates an attempt to conceal Iran’s involvement.
Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian acknowledged Tabatabai’s contributions to “the resistance’s” position in Lebanon, demonstrating his significance within Iran’s regime.
Michael Rubin, an Iran expert, questioned whether those who allegedly supported Iranian terrorism would apologize and if Iran would compensate victims. Rubin also mentioned the potential for new lawsuits against Iran’s regime for its role in the attacks.
Tabatabai’s admission suggests divisions within Iran’s leadership, and it remains to be seen how Western governments, particularly the Biden administration, will respond to this revelation.
Despite attempts to seek comments from Iranian authorities, no response has been received at the time of this report. The Pentagon referred inquiries to the State Department, which, along with the National Security Council, has not provided any responses to questions from Fox News Digital.
