Aoun takes new jab at Iran: 'Big difference between aid and interference'

BEIRUT — President Joseph Aoun delivered a new jab on Wednesday at the Islamic Republic of Iran, Hezbollah’s patron, asserting that “there is a big difference between aid and interference in Lebanese internal affairs,” according to a message on X from the Lebanese presidency.

“It is forbidden to return to the era of tutelage, whatever its form,” the president further stated.

However, he made it clear that he “welcomed assistance from any state,” and thus did not reject Iranian aid on principle. Aoun made these remarks before a delegation of representatives from the municipalities of the Kesrouan-Ftouh district.

Last week, Aoun raised his tone in an unprecedented way during an interview with CNN, accusing Iran of using Lebanon as a "bargaining chip" in its standoff with Washington. He called for an end to any interference in the country’s affairs. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, who has always denied any Iranian interference in Lebanon, responded Saturday by urging the president to “save” Lebanon from its “real enemy,” Israel. The next day, Iran itself retaliated for an Israeli strike on the southern suburbs of Beirut.

Do not meddle in our affairs to serve your own interests

Aoun also declared that “many countries are welcome to provide assistance, from Gulf countries to European countries and others, provided they do not meddle in our internal affairs with the aim of serving their own interests,” making a clear reproach regarding the ties between Hezbollah and Iran that drew Lebanon into the regional war on March 2.

At least 3,666 people have been killed in Israeli bombardments since the resumption of the war in Lebanon on March 2, according to authorities, while another 11,321 have been wounded.

Aoun further defended once again the Lebanese state’s choice to directly negotiate an end to the war with Israel, under American mediation. “I made the decision to engage in these negotiations and I will see them through, because Lebanon is a founding member of the United Nations, endowed with its own entity and sovereignty. This comes from my conviction that wars produce no results except for losses that everyone ends up sharing,” said the head of state, who is leading, in coordination with Prime Minister Nawaf Salam, the negotiation file.

His comments come as Hezbollah has, since April, assailed this approach, with the militia-party hoping Iran will negotiate with the United States to end the Israeli offensive in Lebanon. “The goal of the negotiations in Washington is to allow the state to regain its place, so that the Lebanese are no longer dependent on anyone, whether through some supervisory authority or negotiations conducted in our name by others,” Aoun said on this issue.

“We are masters of our decision, and Lebanon is a sovereign state,” he stressed. “What Lebanon has suffered for fifty years from mismanagement, corruption and successive wars cannot end overnight. Today, we are working to strengthen the role of the state in all areas,” the president also said.

Aoun’s position is being welcomed favorably by the United States. Amos Hochstein, former U.S. special envoy and architect of the November 2024 cease-fire, notably, in an unusual move, congratulated the presient’s remarks last week: “Well said, Mr. President. It is the Lebanese and not Iran or anyone else who should decide Lebanon’s fate,” he said.