The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Joe Raggi, and his Iranian counterpart, Abbas Araghchi, in Qatar, on Sep. 14, 2025. (Credit: Photo taken from Mr. Raggi's X account)
Foreign Minister Joe Rajji met with his Iranian counterpart, Abbas Araghchi, in Baghdad on Saturday, on the sidelines of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC).
’’The two officials discussed key issues related to bilateral relations as well as regional developments,’’ the Iranian news agency Tasnim reported. Neither foreign minister had officially commented on the meeting as of Saturday afternoon. It comes amid a widening rift between the Lebanese state and Hezbollah.
Since taking office, Raggi, an ally of the Lebanese Forces, has reiterated that the Lebanese state seeks to open a ‘‘new chapter’’ in its diplomatic relations with Iran, while calling for an end to Tehran’s ‘‘interference’’ in Lebanon through Hezbollah. He declined an invitation from his Iranian counterpart to visit Tehran in December 2025.
President Joseph Aoun and Araghchi agreed during a phone call on Wednesday on ‘‘the need to support diplomatic solutions to end conflicts in the region.’’ During the conversation, the Iranian foreign minister stressed ‘‘the need to end Israeli attacks against Lebanon and the occupation of territories in the south of the country.’’ He also briefed Aoun on the ‘‘diplomatic efforts’’ Tehran had undertaken in recent weeks.
The meeting comes amid escalating tensions between Saudi Arabia and Yemen’s Houthi rebels, who are backed by Iran. Lebanon has repeatedly expressed support for Riyadh.
Last June, a memorandum of understanding concluded between the United States and Iran notably called for an immediate and permanent cessation of hostilities on all fronts, including in Lebanon. Lebanese officials responded at the time that only the state was authorized to negotiate on Lebanon’s behalf. A few weeks later, Lebanon signed a framework agreement with Israel under U.S. mediation.