Iran’s FM rejects Lebanese president’s accusation of interference, tells him to focus on ‘real foe’

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi arrives for a meeting during the two-day BRICS summit in New Delhi, India, on May 14, 2026. (AP Photo/Manish Swarup)
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi arrives for a meeting during the two-day BRICS summit in New Delhi, India, on May 14, 2026. (AP Photo/Manish Swarup)

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi rejects Lebanese President Joseph Aoun’s accusation that Tehran was interfering in Beirut’s affairs amid the war between Israel and Iran’s Lebanese proxy Hezbollah.

“Based on Mr. Aoun’s comments, one would think it’s Iran that has occupied 1/5 of Lebanon, displaced 1/4 of Lebanese and bombing his country on daily basis,” Araghchi posts on X. “Had Lebanon been bargaining chip for Iran, we’d have a deal long ago.”

“Save Lebanon from your real foe, Mr. President,” Araghchi writes.

Aoun said on Friday that Iran was using Lebanon as a “bargaining chip” in its negotiations with the United States, and that Lebanese people were paying the price for Iran’s interests. Aoun’s comments came after Hezbollah spurned the new US-brokered ceasefire agreement between the Israeli and Lebanese governments.

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