Velayati’s ‘more vital than bread’ remark on Hezbollah sparks backlash in Beirut

BEIRUT —Ali Akbar Velayati, the International Affairs Advisor to Iran's Supreme Leader, told the semi-official Tasnim News Agency on Wednesday that the "ongoing attacks and crimes committed by the Zionist entity against Lebanon show that the presence of Hezbollah has become more important for Lebanon than daily bread."

In response to these comments, the leader of the Lebanese Forces Samir Geagea and Foreign Affairs Minister Joe Rajji criticized these comments, citing an Iranian interference in Lebanese affairs.

These comments come as Israel escalated its attacks against Lebanon despite a cease-fire agreement reached in November 2024, following more than 13 months of conflict between Iran's proxy, Hezbollah, and Israel.

On Sunday, the latter assassinated Hezbollah's Chief of Staff Haytham Ali Tabataba'i in a strike that targeted the southern suburbs of Beirut.

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Velayati told Tasnim that the assassination of Tabataba'i was "carried out in violation of Lebanon’s sovereignty, and that the Zionist entity is attempting, through targeting Hezbollah leaders, to achieve its illegitimate goals by spreading terror and fear."

"However, Lebanon has demonstrated its steadfastness in the face of these practices", he said. "The Zionist entity’s breach of the cease-fire has revealed to everyone the catastrophic consequences that disarming Hezbollah would have for Lebanon, affirming that Iran has supported and will continue to support Hezbollah and the Resistance Axis."

He continued that "Hezbollah has repeatedly been a supporter and savior of the Lebanese people, putting an end to the violations committed by the Zionist occupation", stressing that the brutality of this entity, its killings and its seizure of others’ lands, makes "Hezbollah’s presence today more necessary for Lebanon than water and bread."

Velayati concluded by saying that the "positions and statements of Lebanese officials indicate that Lebanon’s government has realized this fact, just as it has come to understand the falsity of Netanyahu’s claims."

In response to these claims, Geagea wrote in a post on X: "Khamenei and his dear adviser, if only you cared about the affairs and concerns of the Iranian people, it would be better for all of us. Lebanon is an independent state with its own constitution, governed by a Lebanese authority elected by the people in a democratic manner, and you have no right to interfere in its affairs."

Moreover, Lebanon's Foreign Minister addressed Iran's Foreign Minister, Abbas Araghchi, saying as reported by the state-run National News Agency: "Dear Iranian Foreign Minister, I truly wished to believe what you said about Iran not interfering in Lebanon’s internal affairs, until the adviser of your Supreme Leader appeared to instruct us on what is important in Lebanon and warned us about the consequences of disarming Hezbollah."

"What is more important to us than water and bread is our sovereignty, our freedom, and the independence of our internal decision-making, far from ideological slogans and cross-border regional contexts that have destroyed our country and continue to drag us toward ruin", Rajji added.

Last Friday, Araghchi invited Rajji to come to Tehran and said that he is fully ready to visit Beirut if he receives an official invitation to do so. Araghchi added that Iran “welcomes any dialogue aimed at strengthening relations” with Lebanon and that Tehran does not interfere in Lebanon’s internal affairs. The Iranian Foreign Minister was responding to remarks made by Rajji a day earlier, in which the latter said: “I call on Araghchi: let us meet in a neutral country, negotiate, put all the issues between us on the table, and I hope we will reach a solution."

Fears of a further Israeli escalation against Hezbollah are growing in Lebanon, especially after the Dahiyeh strike. Earlier on Wednesday, Israeli Defense Minister, Israel Katz, said that the Israeli army will "intervene with force" in Lebanon if Hezbollah is not disarmed "by the end of the year."

'The moment of truth has come for Hezbollah'

MP Pierre Bou Assi, a member of the Lebanese Forces’ “Strong Republic” bloc, wrote on X: “Good news for the 75 percent of Lebanese living below the poverty line: Ali Akbar Velayati has reassured us by declaring that Hezbollah’s presence is now more important for Lebanon than bread and water… Thank God!”

Sunni independent MP Fouad Makhzoumi wrote: “Lebanon is neither an extension of Iran nor a platform for implementing the illusions of a regime that exhausts its own people before meddling in the affairs of others. Those in Tehran who hand out lessons beyond their borders should start by addressing the collapse in their own country and giving their population its rights before pretending to decide the fate of the Lebanese. Lebanon’s sovereignty is not up for negotiation.”

He added, addressing Hezbollah directly: “The moment of truth has come. Lebanon cannot achieve stability as long as you remain tied to decisions made abroad. Hand over your weapons to the Lebanese state and be a Lebanese party, not an affiliated militia — this is your responsibility toward the homeland and toward history.”