Satellite image showing trucks and bulldozers near the entrance of the Fordow nuclear site, near Qom, in Iran, on June 20, 2025. (Credit: Maxar Technologies/Reuters)
Lebanese President Joseph Aoun stated on Sunday in a message on the X account of the Baabda presidential palace that Lebanon no longer wants to pay the price of wars on national territory and in the region, shortly after American strikes on three nuclear facilities in Iran.
"The leaders, parties and the Lebanese people are more aware today than ever that they have paid dearly for the wars that have erupted on their territory and in the region, that they are not willing to pay more, and that they have no national interest in doing so, especially as the cost of these wars has been and will be beyond their capacity to bear," the text reads.
The head of state also stated that the U.S. bombing of Iranian nuclear facilities "raises fears of escalating tensions threatening the security and stability of more than one region and more than one country," calling for "restraint and the launch of constructive and serious negotiations to restore stability in the countries of the region and avoid further killings and destruction."
'Avoid dragging Lebanon into regional confrontation'
Meanwhile, Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam emphasized on X that "in the face of the dangerous escalation of military operations and the risks of their repercussions on the entire region, it is increasingly important that we strictly adhere to the supreme national interest that requires avoiding involving or dragging Lebanon in any way into the ongoing regional confrontation."
"The awareness of our supreme national interest is our most powerful weapon in these delicate circumstances," he added.
According to another message published on the Grand Serail's account, Salam contacted Aoun to examine the latest "dangerous developments in the region and their potential repercussions on Lebanon." "It was agreed to keep communication channels open and work together to spare the country the repercussions of these events, prioritize the supreme national interest and preserve national unity and solidarity," the text highlights.
Hezbollah, Israel's foe, has not yet launched attacks against Israel in retaliation for daily Israeli strikes on Iran since the night of June 12-13. The party, after pressure from Lebanese authorities, had stated it would not unilaterally launch an offensive against Israeli territory. Still, its leader, Naim Qassem, said last week that it was ready to react "in whatever way the party deemed appropriate" and reaffirmed its solidarity with Tehran.
The party alone opened a front of support for Hamas in October 2023, following the bloody Israeli retaliation against the Palestinian Islamist movement's attack in Israel on Oct. 7. The ensuing 13-month war, with two months of violent escalation between late September and late November 2024, caused considerable damage in Lebanon, killed more than 4,000 people, and heavily weakened Hezbollah.
Salam also spoke with Defense Minister Michel Menassa, Interior Minister Ahmad Hajjar and the army's chief commander, General Rodolphe Haykal, "to coordinate efforts and take all necessary security measures to maintain internal stability and safeguard national security in this delicate phase."
