Iran sheltering Hezbollah terrorist who killed UN soldier: report

A Hezbollah terrorist who killed an Irish UN peacekeeper is now believed to be hiding in Iran.

By World Israel News Staff

A Hezbollah terrorist who murdered a United Nations peacekeeper in Lebanon is now living freely in Iran, according to a new report.

Mohammad Ayyad, a Hezbollah operative, was convicted in absentia of killing Irish national Sean Rooney, a private in the UNIFIL peacekeeping forces, in December 2022.

Rooney was shot while driving through Al-Aqbiya, a village in southern Lebanon widely considered to be a Hezbollah stronghold.

Following the attack, Ayyad was arrested along with several other men suspected of involvement in the murder.

However, he was later granted bail on medical grounds and never returned to court.

A diplomatic source told the Sunday World that Ayyad is presumed to have fled Lebanon and found safe haven in Iran.

“We suspect he is in Iran, and it is unlikely anyone will hand him over to face a death penalty,” the source said. “It is not a satisfactory situation, but all we can do is keep the pressure on and see if we can get justice for Sean and his family.”

Three Lebanese men were convicted in Rooney’s death, receiving sentences ranging from a €1,800 fine to just three months in prison. The lenient punishments sparked outrage in Ireland, where the government formally protested to Lebanese authorities over what it described as unacceptable judicial leniency.

The case underscores Iran’s continued role as Hezbollah’s chief patron, supplying the terror group with weapons, training, and funding.

Hezbollah has grown increasingly assertive in Lebanon, challenging state authority while escalating tensions along Israel’s northern border.

Earlier this month, Lebanon’s cabinet passed a resolution demanding Hezbollah disarm, declaring that only the Lebanese army should bear arms in the country.

Hezbollah flatly rejected the decision.

“Are we being asked to engage in dialogue, or to surrender our weapons without dialogue?” Hezbollah deputy leader Naim Qassem said in a televised speech, responding to the cabinet decision.

“We cannot accept Lebanon committing to gradually giving up its strength while all the strength cards remain in the hands of the Israeli enemy,” he added.