Iran's ambassador to Lebanon (center) receives journalists in Beirut, December 17, 2022. (Credit: Twitter/@IranEmbassyLB)
BEIRUT — Iran's ambassador to Beirut, Mojtaba Amani, said Saturday that his country does not interfere in Lebanon's internal affairs.
In an interview with journalists, Amani reaffirmed, according to statements published on Twitter, "the Islamic Republic of Iran's commitment to respect the brotherly Lebanese people, and the absence of any interference whatsoever in the internal affairs" of Lebanon.
Meanwhile, several political forces in Lebanon denounce Hezbollah, a powerful party that is backed by the Iranian regime, for its active contribution to blocking the presidential election, thus prolonging the country's political vacuum.
Iran's ambassador to Lebanon also discussed local, regional and international issues, including "the latest developments in the negotiations in Vienna on lifting the illegal sanctions against the Iranian people," the embassy said.
Amini reiterated Iran's position that it wants "to reach a good, lasting and strong agreement" on the Iranian nuclear issue and that his country "will not go back on its red lines for the sake the Iranian people's interests."
At the end of November, the Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei stated that "the policy of the Islamic Republic in Syria, Iraq and Lebanon is to defeat American influence," in a speech delivered to the Basij, volunteer militiamen in the service of Iran's Revolutionary Guards.
The Islamic Republic has been shaken for three months by an uprising, however, Iran does not intend to compromise its influence in the region. Meanwhile, Lebanon has been trying, in vain, since October to elect Lebanon's 14th president.