Kataib Hezbollah calls to prepare for ‘comprehensive war’ in defense of Iran

BAGHDAD — Kataib Hezbollah, one of Iraq’s most powerful armed factions, called on its supporters Sunday to prepare for what it described as a “comprehensive war” in defense of the Islamic Republic of Iran, framing the appeal in religious terms and warning of confrontation with Iran’s adversaries.

In a statement dated Jan. 25, 2026, and signed by Secretary-General Hajj Abu Hussein al-Hamidawi, the group said, “We address our call to the mujahideen brothers in the east and west of the earth,” urging them “to prepare for a comprehensive war in support of and in defense of the Islamic Republic of Iran, the stronghold and pride of the Ummah.”

The statement said that “the forces of misguidance — the Zionists of the earth and their extremists — have gathered to attempt to subjugate it, indeed to destroy it and demolish all moral and ethical foundations across the world.”

The remarks come amid sharply rising tensions between the United States and Iran. Donald Trump warned Iran against violently suppressing demonstrators, saying the United States was “locked and loaded” if peaceful protesters were killed and suggesting strong action if planned executions proceeded, before later rowing back on the threats.

Washington has since bolstered its military presence in the Middle East, including the movement of carrier strike groups into the region.

Iranian officials responded by warning that any attack would be treated as an all-out war.

Full statement:

We address our call to the mujahideen brothers in the east and west of the earth, and to everyone whose heart is filled with faith, who loves God and His Messenger, who believes that honor belongs to God, His Messenger, and the believers, and to all who refuse to allow the front of disbelief and hypocrisy to dominate the people of faith and justice — calling on them to prepare for a comprehensive war in support of and in defense of the Islamic Republic of Iran, the stronghold and pride of the Ummah, which for more than four decades has stood alongside the oppressed and all just causes of the nation of Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him and his family), without regard to sect, color, or race.

Today, the forces of misguidance — the Zionists of the earth and their extremists — have gathered to attempt to subjugate it, indeed to destroy it and demolish all moral and ethical foundations across the world. As we stress the necessity of supporting it by the forces of the Axis and backing it with all they are able, we affirm to the enemies that war against the Republic will not be easy; rather, you will taste in it the most bitter forms of death, and no remnant of you will remain in our region. (“We shall cast terror into the hearts of those who disbelieve.”)

We say to our dear mujahideen brothers to prepare themselves operationally for this, and to ready themselves for one of the two outcomes, particularly should jihad be declared by the honorable religious authorities to wage this sacred war, and for the rulings and jihadist actions that follow, rising to martyrdom operations, in defense of the people of Islam and its sanctity. (“So fight the leaders of disbelief; indeed, they have no covenant.”)