Sources close to Hezbollah told the Saudi channel Al-Hadath that the election of Hezbollah's Deputy Secretary-General Naim Qassem as the organization's leader in place of Hassan Nasrallah took place last Friday, with the blessing and agreement of Iran.
According to the report by Kan News journalist Roy Qays, Qassem was the preferred candidate for the Iranians, as they believe that the second candidate for the leadership of Hezbollah, Ibrahim Amin al-Sayyid, who currently serves as the head of Hezbollah's political council, tends to make decisions too independently, and therefore Iran opposed his appointment.
It was also reported that the motive for announcing Qassem's appointment at this time is to place a figure who will manage the ceasefire negotiations on the northern front, and to avoid the perception that Iran is the one managing the negotiations.
According to those sources, Qassem's selection was a necessary step for the gradual renewal of Hezbollah's operations, and he was chosen temporarily. After the war ends, a new Shura Council will be elected to choose a permanent leader for Hezbollah.
