Lebanese Officials Slam Iran FM’s Remarks against Aoun, Back Negotiations

Lebanese officials strongly condemned Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi's remarks criticizing President Joseph Aoun's stance against Tehran's alleged interference in Lebanon. The criticism followed Aoun's interview with CNN, where he urged Iran to stop meddling in Lebanese affairs, stating, "This is not your country. It is our country, our responsibility, and your role is not to interfere in our affairs."

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This is not your country. It is our country, our responsibility, and your role is not to interfere in our affairs.

Araghchi responded on X, advising Aoun to focus on Israel as Lebanon's "real foe." He questioned Aoun's comments by stating, "Based on Mr. Aoun's comments, one would think it's Iran that has occupied one-fifth of Lebanon... and is bombing the country on a daily basis." He added, "If Lebanon were a bargaining chip for Iran, we would have reached an agreement long ago."

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Save Lebanon from your real foe, Mr. President.

Lebanese officials quickly rallied behind President Aoun and the ongoing negotiations between Lebanon and Israel, which are the first in decades between the two nations. Lebanese Forces leader Samir Geagea asserted that Aoun's rejection of Iran's continued use of Lebanon as a bargaining chip demonstrated a clear will to end a situation causing turmoil. Geagea stated Aoun's position reflects the desire of most Lebanese people for a capable state.

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Aoun’s stances, which reject Iran’s continued use of Lebanon as a bargaining chip in its negotiations with the US so that it can remain an open arena for conflict, underscore the president’s clear will to end this flawed situation that has caused turmoil in Lebanon for decades.

Geagea further argued that Aoun's stance targets both Iran and Hezbollah, who he accused of treating Lebanon as an arena for their agendas against the Lebanese people's will. He criticized the Iranian regime for using Lebanon as a pawn in its regional strategy, arming a proxy force that operates outside Lebanese law and national will, causing significant harm to the country's stability and economy. Geagea also highlighted Aoun's statements regarding weapons outside state control as a violation of the constitution, emphasizing the need for Iran to respect Lebanon's sovereignty and for Hezbollah to comply with state authority.

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The Lebanese and Iranian people never had any problems between them, but the Iranian regime, since the revolution, has sought to use Lebanon as a card in its regional agenda.