Iran’s Quds Force commander General Esmail Qaani has said resistance groups across the Middle East remain united and resilient despite ongoing conflicts, arguing that recent regional developments have strengthened what Iran calls the “axis of resistance”.

In an interview aired on Monday night, Qaani said the latest conflict involving Iran, the United States and Israel had undermined Washington’s standing and accelerated what he described as the decline of Israel.

He traced the origins of the resistance network to the early years of Iran’s Islamic Revolution, saying it evolved from small regional groups into a broader alliance of movements operating across the Middle East.

Qaani said resistance groups in Palestine, Lebanon and elsewhere had remained active despite military pressure and conflict, adding that none had withdrawn from the battlefield since the start of the Gaza war.

He claimed allied groups independently decided to take a leading role in confronting the United States and Israel to shield Iran from direct pressure.

The Quds Force commander also praised Hezbollah, describing the Lebanese group as a major force in the region and saying it continued to play a central role within the broader resistance alliance.

He further highlighted the role of Yemen’s Ansarullah movement and other allied groups, claiming they had affected military and commercial activity in strategic waterways, including the Bab al-Mandab Strait.

Qaani also commended Iran’s diplomatic efforts during the regional crisis, saying military and political strategies had worked in parallel throughout the conflict.

His remarks come amid continued tensions following the war that began on February 28 and subsequent ceasefire efforts, as negotiations and regional security issues remain unresolved.