Khamenei’s Message Spurs Iranian Women to Donate Jewelry to Hezbollah—Here’s Why

Iran has launched a nationwide campaign to collect donations from its citizens for “Lebanese victims” in response to the escalating Israeli aggression against Lebanon, despite being the primary financial backer and arms supplier to Hezbollah.

In mid-October 2024, banners and messages appeared on highways and bridges across Tehran, urging Iranians to contribute to the war-affected people in Lebanon.

Hezbollah was established in Lebanon in 1982 under the supervision of the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps, which has since provided the group with financial and military support, enabling it to become a significant political and military force in Lebanon and neighboring countries.

Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah, assassinated by “Israel” on September 27, 2024, explicitly stated on June 24, 2016, that the party's budget, salaries, expenses, and weaponry come from Iran. In 2018, U.S. officials estimated that Iran transfers about $700 million annually to Hezbollah.

Khamenei's Message

The banners also encouraged Iranians to send text messages to donate to Lebanese citizens, while similar campaigns on state television promoted cash or gold donations, or even financially supporting a Lebanese family.

Starting on September 23, 2024, “Israel” escalated its aggression in Lebanon aiming at eliminating Hezbollah, which had opened a front to support Palestinian Resistance in Gaza since October 8, 2023.

The ongoing Israeli bombardment since October 2023 has resulted in over 2,000 Lebanese deaths and displaced approximately 1.3 million people. Tens of thousands have fled to neighboring Syria and Iraq, with fewer seeking refuge in Iran or other countries.

Iranian donors are responding to Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei's calls to support the “Axis of Resistance” led by Tehran. In a message on September 28, 2024, Khamenei stated, “It is the duty and responsibility of all Muslims to support the oppressed people of Lebanon and assist in the struggle for al-Aqsa mosque.”

Iran’s al-Alam channel quoted an Iranian woman on October 22, 2024, saying, “Our dear leader called us to jihad, and we obeyed his orders, donating our necklaces, rings, and gold chains in the name of God for this cause.”

“I donated my jewelry and gold worth over $15,000 to my people in Lebanon and Palestine,” stated another Iranian woman.

An Iranian man reportedly sent his annual agricultural production, which was the only source of income for him and his family, to his “brothers” in Lebanon, according to the channel.

Footage showed Iranian women lining up to donate their jewelry in support of the Palestinian and Lebanese people, with a cleric overseeing the collection of these donations.

Iranian media shared images of gold jewelry donated by Iranian women, with notes stating that these valuable items represent a “jihadist movement to support Lebanese Hezbollah.”

The reports highlighted that “these scenes echo the history of the eight-year Sacred Defense,” referencing the Iran-Iraq War [September 22, 1980 – August 16, 1988], one of the 20th century's most devastating and costly conflicts.

Organized Fundraising

The grassroots campaign “Iran Cares” has also been revitalized to collect cash donations from citizens in Iran to “support the Lebanese people” through bank deposits.

According to local Iranian media, the Red Crescent Society of the Islamic Republic of Iran (IRCS) is responsible for receiving all types of humanitarian aid to be sent to Lebanon.

In early October 2024, Pir Hossein Kolivand, the organization's president, called on people across Iran to help the people of Lebanon.

“This program is being carried out with the help of grassroots organizations throughout the country, and people can donate non-cash items, including essential goods, clothing, blankets, rugs, and more, to Red Crescent centers nationwide,” he said.

Cash donations can also be deposited into account number 99999 at Bank Melli, Iran’s national bank.

Regarding payment methods via SMS, the IRCS president explained, “People can also help by texting the code #1*112.”

Ongoing Economic Strain

This campaign comes at a time when the Iranian populace is grappling with soaring annual inflation exceeding 40 percent.

It’s important to note that Lebanese families, particularly from the Shia community, have sought refuge in areas heavily influenced by Iran.

In Syria, the economically weakened regime of Bashar al-Assad has opened 35 hosting centers in rural Damascus, Tartus, Latakia, Homs, and Hama, accommodating around 5,000 individuals, most of whom are Lebanese families.

Shia Lebanese families have also migrated to the Sayyidah Zaynab neighborhood south of Damascus, which has transformed over the past decade into a fortified stronghold for Iranian militias in the heart of the capital, housing families of military leaders, including members of the Revolutionary Guards.

Local media have confirmed the arrival of Shia Lebanese families in the Syrian city of al-Bukamal near the Iraqi border.

Reports indicate that Iranian organizations, such as the “Construction Jihad,” have distributed clothing and food packages to the incoming Lebanese families, along with cash donations.

Established in June 1979 by a decree from former Supreme Leader Khomeini, the “Construction Jihad” was created to address the needs of impoverished and remote areas in Iran.

The organization publicly emerged in Syria in 2013 and has since expanded its role across various service sectors, becoming one of the Revolutionary Guards' key arms in the country.

In contrast, thousands of Lebanese have chosen to seek refuge in Iraq following a declaration from the Marja’ there to host Lebanese individuals. They have arrived in Baghdad, Karbala, and Najaf, with their numbers in Iraq surpassing 13,000.

Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia’ al-Sudani has decided to grant Lebanese citizens without passports quick travel documents, coordinating with the Lebanese embassy and referring to them as “guests of Iraq” rather than displaced persons.

Medical Care for Pager Injured 

Iran has welcomed Lebanese families affiliated with Hezbollah who fled to Syria, transporting them via Iranian passenger planes.

This occurred after Iran previously received hundreds of injured Hezbollah members and their families for treatment in its hospitals following the largest security breach against the group, where “Israel” detonated wireless pager devices carried by thousands of Lebanese.

In an unprecedented incident on September 17, 2024, these pager devices exploded among Hezbollah personnel and leaders throughout Lebanon, particularly in the party's stronghold in southern Beirut.

According to Pir Hossein Kolivand, as of October 17, 2024, 500 individuals injured in the pager explosions have been sent to Iran for medical care.

In mid-September 2024, IRCS dispatched a medical team to Beirut with twelve doctors, twelve nurses, and paramedics, equipped with essential medical supplies and treatment materials to assist the Lebanese population.

According to Shahrvand, a newspaper affiliated with IRCS, the organization established a field hospital with a capacity of 56 beds at the Syrian-Lebanese border, which was targeted in an Israeli airstrike on September 17, 2024.

In this context, IRCS Secretary-General, Meysam Afshar, reported on October 8, 2024, that through both monetary and non-monetary public donations, a substantial airlift of aid has been dispatched to assist war victims in Lebanon via Syria.

Afshar mentioned that preparations are underway to establish an emergency shelter camp in Damascus for displaced Lebanese families.

A shipment of humanitarian aid, collected by IRCS from the Iranian people, has been sent to Lebanon as part of their ongoing humanitarian efforts, containing ten tons of food, medical supplies, and medicines, according to the IRCS Secretary-General.

On October 17, 2024, the IRCS president announced plans to send an Iranian ship carrying 10,000 tons of Red Crescent assistance to the Lebanese people in the coming days.