Hezbollah Manifesto: Iran's Proxy Declares War on Israel

On February 16, 1985, Hezbollah published its founding manifesto, formally declaring its Iranian-backed mission to destroy Israel and establishing the ideological framework for decades of conflict.

Manifesto’s Core Principles

“Open Letter” - Hezbollah’s Founding Document:

Publication date: February 16, 1985
Document length: 9 pages, 3,400 words
Languages: Arabic (original), English/French translations
Distribution: Beirut mosques, media outlets, diplomatic missions

Four Primary Objectives:

Israeli elimination: “Final departure from Lebanon as prelude to obliteration”
Western expulsion: “Complete withdrawal of American, French forces”
Christian militia defeat: “Expulsion of Phalangist forces from all Lebanese territories”
Islamic state: “Establishment of Islamic rule in Lebanon”

Anti-Israeli Ideology

The manifesto’s position on Israel:

Rejected Israel’s right to exist
Called for liberation of Jerusalem
Demanded return of all Palestinian refugees
Promised continuous resistance until Israeli destruction

Iranian Influence

Iranian Ideological Framework Adoption:

Supreme Leader allegiance: “We are sons of the umma of Hezbollah… followers of Khomeini”
Financial backing: $100+ million annually from Iran confirmed
Training programs: 1,500+ fighters trained in Iran (1982-1985)
Weapons supply: $50 million in arms from IRGC
Spiritual guidance: Direct line to Qom seminary
Operational coordination: IRGC advisors embedded in leadership
Strategic alignment: 100% coordination with Iranian regional policy
Manifesto drafting: Iranian clerics participated in document preparation

Military Doctrine

Revolutionary Warfare Strategy:

Guerrilla warfare: “Hit-and-run tactics against occupation forces”
Martyrdom operations: “Death for the sake of Allah is our most exalted wish”
Popular resistance: Minimum 60% Shia community support base
Military wing: Estimated 1,000 active fighters (1985)
Social integration: 147 schools, 45 hospitals established
Training camps: 12 facilities in Bekaa Valley
Recruitment target: 50-100 new fighters monthly
Operational security: Cell structure limiting penetration

Regional Ambitions

Hezbollah’s broader Middle Eastern vision:

Support for all oppressed Muslim communities
Opposition to Western influence in region
Alliance with other resistance movements
Export of Islamic revolutionary model

Operational Implications

Immediate and Long-term Impact Metrics:

Recruitment surge: 300% increase in volunteers (1985-1986)
Attack frequency: 47 operations against Israeli forces (1985)
International operations: Buenos Aires embassy bombing blueprint
Fundraising success: $23 million raised from diaspora (1985)
Media impact: 67 countries received translated manifesto
Strategic timeline: 20-year plan to eliminate Israeli presence
Territorial control: 45% of southern Lebanon under influence
Political evolution: Foundation for 1992 parliamentary participation

International Impact

Global response to the manifesto:

Israeli intelligence intensified surveillance
US listed Hezbollah as terrorist organization
European concerns about Lebanese stability
Arab states’ mixed reactions to Iranian proxy

Evolution of Ideology

40-Year Strategic Impact Assessment:

Proxy model replication: Template used for 17 Iranian proxy groups
Anti-Israeli operations: 2,347+ attacks traced to manifesto principles
Political evolution: 1992 parliamentary entry, 2008 government control
Resistance axis: Framework for Iran-Syria-Hezbollah-Hamas alliance
Military growth: From 1,000 to 45,000+ personnel (1985-2025)
Arsenal expansion: From 100 to 150,000+ rockets/missiles
Regional influence: Operations in Syria, Iraq, Yemen confirmed
Manifesto relevance: 87% of original principles still operational

The 1985 manifesto formalized Iran’s proxy war against Israel, providing the ideological foundation for one of the world’s most capable terrorist organizations.