Iran’s Araghchi visits Beirut, calls for 'new chapter' in ties with Lebanon

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi arrived in Beirut on Tuesday for a one-day visit, his first since the election of Lebanese President Joseph Aoun, as part of a broader regional tour amid heightened tensions in the Middle East and renewed US–Iran nuclear negotiations.

Araghchi was received in Beirut after travelling from Egypt, where he met with senior Egyptian officials.

In Lebanon, he is scheduled to hold meetings with President Aoun, Prime Minister Nawaf Salam, Speaker of Parliament Nabih Berri, and Foreign Minister Youssef Rajji.

Shortly after landing at Rafic Hariri International Airport, Araghchi made remarks to the press in which he emphasised Iran's respect for Lebanon's sovereignty and denied any intention of meddling in the country's internal affairs.

"We respect Lebanon's internal matters; we do not interfere in them," Araghchi said. "We also support Lebanon’s sovereignty during difficult times, just like we did before."

"Independence, sovereignty, and the unity of Lebanese territory are very important to Iran. We have always supported Lebanon’s sovereignty and territorial integrity at every stage, and we continue to do so in the face of the [Israeli] occupation," he added.

"This support is from a friendly country to its friends in Lebanon. It does not mean interference in internal affairs, and no country has the right to interfere in the domestic affairs of another," he said, in an apparent response to long-standing criticism from some Lebanese factions and Western governments over Iran's influence in Lebanon, particularly through its backing of Hezbollah.

Iran's foreign ministry said the visit would focus on bilateral ties between Tehran and Beirut, as well as broader regional developments, including the situation in Palestine and ongoing Israeli attacks on both Lebanon and Syria.

In his earlier visit to Cairo, Araghchi addressed the ongoing Israeli war on Gaza and Iran's regional posture. At a press conference, he said: "We demand an immediate and sustainable ceasefire." He also defended Houthi operations in the Red Sea, stating that the group’s actions were "against Israeli ships or those heading to [Israel]".

Touching on nuclear negotiations, Araghchi warned: "If America's goal is to deprive us of nuclear technology, there will definitely be no agreement." He asserted that Iran’s nuclear programme was peaceful and transparent, stating: "We have nothing to hide. Our nuclear programme is civilian. Diplomacy is the solution."

He also called for a nuclear weapons-free Middle East and accused Western powers of obstructing Iran’s scientific progress while unconditionally supporting Israel "at any cost". Araghchi added that Iran’s uranium enrichment was a legitimate right under international treaties, and framed the West’s opposition as politically motivated.

Araghchi’s visit to Beirut takes place against the backdrop of continued Israeli attacks on Lebanese territory and at a time when the Lebanese government has pledged to take control of all weapons across the country, including those held by Hezbollah.

Tehran is estimated to provide the group with between $700 million and $1 billion annually, funding its military operations, salaries, and a vast social services network that secures popular backing within Lebanon's Shia community.

Iran also supplies Hezbollah with advanced weaponry, including missiles and drones, and trains its fighters, making it the most powerful non-state military force in the region.