In Beirut, Iran has expressed its support for Lebanon’s initiatives to urge Israel to end its military presence within Lebanese territories. Tehran is backing diplomatic efforts focused on removing occupation forces. Iran’s Foreign Minister, Abbas Araghchi, made these remarks during his visit, stating that the country is keen on nurturing relations with Lebanon based on mutual respect, especially in the context of recent developments following the conflict between Israel and Hezbollah.
Araghchi is visiting Lebanon following the weakening of Hezbollah, Iran’s principal ally in the region, due to the 14-month conflict with Israel. This clash resulted in severe losses for Hezbollah, both politically and militarily. Araghchi’s trip marks his first since the height of the Israel-Hezbollah war, which concluded with a ceasefire facilitated by the U.S. This conflict led to the death of over 4,000 individuals in Lebanon, the displacement of more than a million people, and infrastructural damage assessed by the World Bank at an estimated $11 billion.
In the aftermath of the war, Lebanon has experienced political changes. Joseph Aoun, the army commander, was elected president, while Nawaf Salam, noted for his expertise in law and diplomacy, assumed the role of prime minister. Both leaders have asserted that only the state will possess the monopoly on weapon usage within Lebanon.
Additionally, Araghchi’s visit coincides with the ousting of Syrian President Bashar Assad’s administration by insurgent factions opposing Iran’s regional influence. Assad had been a crucial ally of Iran in the Arab world, acting as a conduit for the transfer of arms from Iran to Hezbollah.
During discussions with the Iranian envoy, Aoun communicated Lebanon’s desire to enhance state-level relations with Iran, as indicated by an official statement. Historically, Iran has backed Hezbollah with billions in funds and a wide assortment of weaponry, cementing its influence over the small Mediterranean nation.
Since the end of hostilities, Lebanese authorities have implemented stringent measures at Beirut’s airport aiming to curb the financial flow from Iran to Hezbollah, along with the suspension of flights by Iranian airlines to Beirut. Araghchi stressed the importance of building Lebanon-Iran relations founded on mutual respect and non-intervention in domestic affairs during his meeting with Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri, indicating that Iran supports an ongoing national dialogue between Lebanon’s differing factions.
Furthermore, Araghchi denounced the occupation of Lebanese territories by Israel and vowed support for all efforts by the Lebanese government and its people to reclaim these areas, either through diplomatic channels or other means. This came in light of Israel’s refusal to withdraw from five military posts earlier in the year.
Iran is also ready to contribute to Lebanon’s reconstruction efforts if the Lebanese government expresses interest, according to Araghchi. On the same day, Araghchi engaged in talks with Youssef Rajji, his Lebanese counterpart, where they also addressed Iran’s ongoing nuclear negotiations with the United States.