Rockford Sun

Congressman Darin LaHood addressed the death of Hassan Nasrallah, stating, "For years, Nasrallah and Hezbollah, an Iranian terrorist proxy, have sought to sow divide in Lebanon and the Middle East, disrupting ongoing efforts for peace in the region," in a Facebook post dated September 28.

"The world is a much better place without Hezbollah Secretary General Hassan Nasrallah," said LaHood, according to Facebook. "I commend the effort to eliminate Nasrallah, who has the blood of countless innocent civilians on his hands, and the United States should stand with our allies in the face of terrorist threats. For years, Nasrallah and Hezbollah, an Iranian terrorist proxy, have sought to sow divide in Lebanon and the Middle East, disrupting ongoing efforts for peace in the region."

Nasrallah was a leader and founding member of Hezbollah. According to the Associated Press, he was killed in an Israeli airstrike south of Beirut as Hezbollah leaders convened in Dahiyeh on September 28.

Screnshot of U.S. Rep. Darin LaHood's Sept.28 Facebook post. | U.S. Rep. Darin LaHood Facebook page

Reuters reported on October 2 that Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei had advised Nasrallah to flee Lebanon before the airstrike. The report said that after an attack using Hezbollah’s booby-trapped pagers on September 17, Khamenei sent a note with senior Iranian Revolutionary Guard commander Brigadier General Abbas Nilforoushan. The note urged Nasrallah to go to Iran, warning that intelligence indicated Israel had infiltrated Hezbollah and was planning his assassination. Nilforoushan was reportedly in the bunker with Nasrallah when Israeli bombs struck, resulting in their deaths.

LaHood further commented on the situation: "The death and destruction in Lebanon falls squarely on the shoulders of Nasrallah, Hezbollah, and their backers in Iran. Hezbollah's influence in Lebanon must be extinguished to allow for a prosperous future of the Lebanese people." He emphasized that "the United States must continue to support the Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF) to keep stability in the country" and expressed readiness to collaborate with various stakeholders "to support the work of a secure, independent and peaceful future for the Lebanese people."

Congressman Darin LaHood has represented Illinois since 2015. Initially serving in the 18th Congressional District until 2023; following redistricting, he now represents the 16th District. His political experience includes four years in the state senate from 2011-2015. He also served as a state and federal prosecutor for more than nine years, including work for the U.S. Department of Justice as an Assistant U.S. Attorney in Las Vegas, Nevada.