Iran dismisses Lebanon president's 'bargaining chip' claim, urges him to save country from 'real enemies'

Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi directly challenged Lebanese President Michel Aoun's claims that Tehran uses Lebanon as a bargaining chip in negotiations with the United States. Araghchi asserted that Iran is not the cause of Lebanon's suffering, sarcastically questioning if Iran had occupied Lebanese territory or bombed the country daily.

“

From Mr. Aoun's statement, one might think that Iran is the one that occupied a quarter of Lebanon's territory, displaced a quarter of its population, and bombs the country every day.

"If Lebanon were just a bargaining chip for Iran, a deal would have been reached long ago," Araghchi stated, dismissing the notion that Iran benefits from Lebanon's prolonged struggles. His remarks were a direct response to an interview Aoun gave to CNN.

In that interview, Aoun accused Iran of leveraging Lebanon in its conflicts and rivalries with the U.S. and Israel, leaving the Lebanese people to bear the consequences. Aoun expressed the Lebanese people's exhaustion with perpetual conflict and their desire for peace, urging an end to the cycle of destruction.

“

If Lebanon were just a bargaining chip for Iran, a deal would have been reached long ago.

Araghchi's message, addressed implicitly to Iran's Revolutionary Guard, declared, "This is our country, not yours," highlighting a clear divergence in perspectives on sovereignty and regional influence.

“

This is our country, not yours.