Iran seeks ‘new chapter’ in ties with Lebanon, FM
Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said on Thursday that Iran was seeking a “new chapter” in bilateral relations with Lebanon after his Lebanese counterpart said Beirut was in “full readiness to establish a new era of constructive relations with Iran based on mutual respect.”
Tensions between Tehran and Beirut have increased in recent months over Lebanon’s decision to disarm Hezbollah resistance group under pressure from Israel and the United States.
In a post published on X, Araghchi said that he was “bemused” by his Lebanese counterpart’s decision not to accept Tehran’s invitation for an official visit.
The top diplomat noted that while he was grateful for Youssef Raggi’s “kind invitation,” there was no need for “a neutral venue” for talks between countries with “brotherly and full diplomatic relations.”
The Iranian foreign minister added he understood why Raggi was not prepared to travel to Tehran, citing Israel’s occupation and violations of a cease-fire.
“Hence I will gladly accept his invitation to come to Beirut,” he said.
Lebanon’s foreign minister had earlier apologized for declining the Tehran visit, saying the refusal “does not mean rejecting dialogue,” but that “suitable conditions” for such a meeting were not currently available.
Raggi then proposed a bilateral meeting in a “neutral third country” agreeable to both sides.
In an interview with Al Jazeera on Friday, Raggi reiterated that Beirut was open to dialogue with Tehran “provided that it stops interfering in our internal affairs.”
Iran has repeatedly rejected accusations of interference in Lebanon’s internal affairs.
The Lebanese minister also claimed that Hezbollah’s weapons had “proven ineffective” in defending Lebanon.
The Lebanese resistance movement has dismissed demands for disarmament, saying it will never lay down its weapons and will not hand over its arms cache to the army while Israel’s military attacks against the country continue.