Hezbollah is “stronger than before” and ready to respond in force to any provocation, says its senior commander.

Underscoring the political gains Hezbollah has secured in the Lebanese government—and highlighting just how dangerous the situation on its northern border truly has become for Israel—Sheikh Nabil Kaouk, who leads Hezbollah’s forces on Lebanon’s border with Israel, says his organization is ready for war. On Saturday, the Telegraph reported,

The political and military group’s senior commander in southern Lebanon said in a rare interview that Hezbollah was far stronger now than when it fought the Israeli army in a conflict in 2006.Sheikh Nabil Kaouk, who leads Hezbollah’s forces on Lebanon’s border with Israel—the crucial battlefront of any future war, was speaking in the port city of Tyre. “The resistance is now stronger than before and this keeps the option of war awake. If we were weak, Israel would not hesitate to start another war,” he said. “We are stronger than before and when Hezbollah is strong, our strength stops Israel from starting a new war …. We don’t seek war, but we must be ready.” …Other sources say Hezbollah has trebled its arsenal in the last two years—from 10,000 missiles to about 30,000. These new weapons have longer ranges and heavier warheads. They include the Zelzal missile, which could strike as far south as Tel Aviv, and the C802 anti-shipping missile, capable of sinking Israeli warships.

Despite its claim that it doesn’t seek war, there is clearly more to Hezbollah’s military buildup than a simple desire to prevent an invasion of Lebanon. Its purpose is—as stated in its own motto, “Death to Israel”—the annihilation of the Jewish state.

Hezbollah’s war-readiness—not just at home in Lebanon, but its striking capabilities abroad—is also one of the factors making any U.S. strike on Iran so risky. Iran has made no secret of its intention to strike back in any way it can in such a scenario—and Hezbollah is one of its key weapons. The military strength of Hezbollah, therefore, has serious implications for both Israel and the United States.