Story thread · 2 reports / 2 sources

War of words: Lebanon tells Iran to liaise through state institutions amid tensions over Hezbollah

thenationalnews.com · 14dShare

Lebanon 's Foreign Minister has said international relations should be conducted through state institutions in response to criticism from Abbas Araghchi, his Iranian counterpart, over Beirut’s handling of ties with Tehran. In a statement posted on X, Youssef Raggi said respect for sovereignty was a reciprocal principle. “Just as Iran, or any other host country, would not accept a Lebanese ambassador bypassing its official institutions to engage independently with parties or factions, Lebanon does not accept such conduct either,” he said. Mr Raggi, an open critic of the Iran-backed Lebanese group Hezbollah, declared Iran’s ambassador to Lebanon, Mohammad Reza Sheibani , persona non grata in late March. His visa was renewed in late August after a compromise but he did not regain his diplomatic status. Mr Araghchi said he hoped the Lebanese Foreign Ministry would show “greater rationality”, while adding that Iran sought good relations with “all groups and factions in Lebanon”, as well as

First report: US says Hezbollah must disarm for ‘safe and sovereign’ Lebanon — aa.com.tr, 16d