Handshake between Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Aragchi (left) and his Lebanese counterpart Joe Rajji during their meeting at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Beirut on Jan. 9, 2026. (Credit: Mohammad Yassine/L'Orient-Le Jour)
BEIRUT — Foreign Minister Joe Rajji met with his Iranian counterpart, Abbas Araghchi, on Friday at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, urging Tehran to support “the Lebanese state directly” rather than Hezbollah, amid often-strained relations between the two ministers.
During the meeting at Bustros Palace, Rajji said he held a “frank discussion” with Araghchi on the “challenges” facing Lebanon. He welcomed the Iranian minister as “a friend,” saying differences in views “do not undermine friendship,” despite past public exchanges between the two sides, including statements and social media posts linked to tensions over Iran’s backing of Hezbollah.
Call to end “blatant interference”
Expressing a desire for “better relations with Iran,” Rajji said he hoped Iranian support would be channeled “directly to the Lebanese state and its institutions, and not to any other party.”
He stressed that Lebanon’s defense must remain the sole responsibility of the state, which, “when it holds the power over war and peace and the monopoly on weapons, can seek the help of other states, including Iran.”
In a clear reference to Hezbollah, Rajji said, “The building of a strong state capable of defending its territory and people cannot take place in the presence of an armed organization.”
He urged Tehran to work with Lebanon on a new approach to the group’s arsenal, arguing that “experience has shown that weapons have failed to defend the Shiite community, or Lebanon as a whole.” He also called on Iran to “put an end to the statements and positions of certain Iranian officials that constitute blatant interference in Lebanese affairs.”
Araghchi, for his part, said Iran is “committed to the independence, unity and sovereignty of Lebanon,” adding that its defense is the responsibility of the Lebanese government. “Iran supports Hezbollah as a resistance movement, but absolutely does not interfere in its affairs, and any decision regarding Lebanon is up to the party itself,” he said.
Economic and diplomatic ties
Iran has signaled interest in strengthening economic ties with Lebanon. During a separate meeting with Araghchi, President Joseph Aoun proposed the creation of joint commissions involving Iranian and Lebanese representatives at the foreign affairs, economy and trade ministries.
Echoing Rajji’s remarks, Aoun reaffirmed Lebanon’s support for “better relations with Iran,” based on “mutual respect, transparency, candor and non-interference in each other’s affairs.”
Aoun also wished the Iranian people “prosperity, security and serenity, and that better days lie ahead,” as Iran enters its 13th day of widespread protests against the regime. There has been no public mention of the protests since Araghchi’s arrival.
The Iranian minister arrived in Beirut on Thursday and has continued meetings with Lebanese officials. On Wednesday, he met with Economy Minister Amer Bisat. Araghchi said upon arrival that he sought to expand ties between Beirut and Tehran “with respect for Lebanon’s sovereignty.”
Many Lebanese officials and parties accuse Iran of meddling in Lebanon’s internal affairs through its continued support for Hezbollah. Tehran has rejected calls to disarm the group, even as the Lebanese Army prepares to launch the second phase of its plan to reassert the state’s monopoly on weapons.
Relations between Lebanon and Iran have been tense in recent months, as Beirut seeks to distance itself from Tehran after years of Iranian influence through Hezbollah. Flights between Beirut and Tehran have been suspended since Aoun took office in January 2025, a move aimed in part at halting cash transfers to the group.
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