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In a stunning turn of events, the assassination of Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah in an Israeli airstrike should serve as a crucial moment of reflection for the Arab world. This moment is not only about Hezbollah or Nasrallah himself, but also about the deeper realization that Iran — the key backer of Hezbollah — is an unreliable ally whose interests starkly diverge from those of the broader Arab and Muslim world.

For decades, Iran has positioned itself as the self-styled defender of Palestinian rights, and the vanguard of resistance against Israel. Through proxy groups such as Hezbollah, Tehran has wielded influence in Lebanon, Iraq, Syria, and Yemen, claiming to be at the forefront of the fight against Western and Israeli aggression. But behind the facade of resistance lies a pattern of betrayal, where Arab and Muslim interests have consistently been sacrificed on the altar of Iran’s own geopolitical ambitions.

Time and again, Iran and its allies, including Hezbollah, have made fiery declarations of their intent to “wipe Israel off the map.” Yet, in every significant confrontation, these threats have amounted to little more than rhetorical bluster. Iran’s military and proxy forces have been largely defensive, often failing to follow through on their vows of decisive action against Israel. Hezbollah, while maintaining its strength as a........

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