Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri receives Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi in Ain al-Tineh, on June 3, 2025. (Credit: Mohammad Yassine/L'Orient-Le Jour)
Are relations between Iran and Lebanon now state-to-state? On Tuesday, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi arrived in Beirut, where he met with President Joseph Aoun, Prime Minister Nawaf Salam, Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri and Foreign Minister Joe Rajji. Following his meeting with Aoun and Rajji, the Iranian minister said he informed his counterpart that Lebanon "could rely on Iran in its efforts to remove Israel from Lebanon, and that Iranian companies were ready to participate in reconstruction if the Lebanese government wishes." He added, "Iran fully supports Lebanon's independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity and hopes for relations based on mutual respect and non-interference in each other's affairs."
"Iran's support for Lebanon falls within the framework of the good relations between the two countries and the principle of non-interference in internal politics," he said, emphasizing that Iran supports national dialogue in Lebanon. This tone is somewhat surprising, given that the Iranian ambassador to Beirut, Mojtaba Amani, had been summoned by Rajji for expressing Tehran's opposition to Hezbollah's disarmament, at a time when the Lebanese state is undertaking efforts to reclaim arms monopoly through dialogue led by Baabda with the group.
'Withdrawal of Hezbollah's weapons is for Lebanon to decide'
During his private meeting with Rajji, the Iranian foreign minister is said to have affirmed that the issue "of the withdrawal of Hezbollah's weapons is for Lebanon to decide," according to the Saudi news channel Al Arabiya, which cites "Arab sources." "The discussion was frank and direct," noted the minister's press office in a statement. The two men discussed bilateral relations and their development based on good cooperation and mutual respect for the sovereignty of both countries. They also addressed the latest regional and local developments, particularly the ongoing negotiations regarding the Iranian nuclear issue.
In this context, Rajji assured that "Lebanon counts on the Islamic Republic of Iran's concern for its security, stability and civil peace in the face of the serious challenges it faces, including the diplomatic liberation of territories still occupied by Israel, the end of Israeli aggression, the restoration of Lebanese state authority throughout its territory, the state's monopoly on arms and the support of friendly countries for the government so that it can fulfill its mission of rebuilding and developing Lebanon."
The Iranian minister, for his part, reiterated the statements he made upon his arrival at Beirut's international airport, where he was not welcomed by any officials, on "opening a new page in relations between Iran and Lebanon based on mutual respect" "We have always supported Lebanon's sovereignty and territorial integrity at all stages, and we continue to do so in the current difficult circumstances," he added.
Aragchi also consulted with Salam. According to the Prime Minister's press office, Araghchi expressed "his country's willingness to open a new page in relations with Lebanon, based on mutual respect and non-interference." He also emphasized "the necessity of developing and strengthening commercial and economic relations between the two countries and working to eliminate obstacles to investments and trade exchanges." For his part, Salam said that "Lebanon is eager to maintain bilateral relations with Iran based on mutual respect, the preservation of sovereignty and the guarantee of independence for each country to promote security and stability in the region." According to our information, the Iranian minister explained to Salam Iran's efforts to improve its relations with Gulf countries, particularly with Saudi Arabia. The head of government praised these efforts.
Araghchi was also received by Berri: "The meetings were good and very useful. Relations between Iran and Lebanon have always been good, and we want them to remain so in the new circumstances," he declared upon leaving Ain al-Tineh.
Tribute to Nasrallah
During his visit to the mausoleum of former Hezbollah Secretary-General Hassan Nasrallah, killed in an Israeli airstrike in the southern suburbs of Beirut on Sept. 27, 2024, the Iranian minister said, "Martyr Nasrallah is a blessed hero against occupation. He devoted his life to the fight against Zionist occupation and won victories for Lebanon." He considered that his "martyrdom will strengthen the Resistance" and that his "blood will have an even greater impact." Lebanon has indefinitely suspended flights to and from Iran since February last year, after refusing to grant landing permits for two Mahan Air flights due to Israeli threats to bomb Beirut's airport. Aoun stated last February, in front of an official Iranian delegation that came to Beirut for Nasrallah's funeral, that Lebanon no longer wanted "other people's wars on its soil." Among the members of this delegation were Araghchi and Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad-Bagher Ghalibaf. The president specified his desire for "the best relations with Tehran, in the interest of both countries."
This article was translated from L'Orient-Le Jour.
