Lebanon Warns Iran to Respect State Sovereignty Amid Growing Tensions Over Hezbollah

Lebanon's Foreign Minister has emphasized that international relations must be conducted strictly through state institutions. This statement came in direct response to criticism from Abbas Araghchi, his Iranian counterpart, regarding Beirut's management of diplomatic ties with Tehran.

Writing in a post on X, Youssef Raggi asserted that mutual respect for sovereignty is a foundational principle. He stated that just as Iran or any other host nation would reject a Lebanese ambassador bypassing official channels to negotiate independently with local factions, Lebanon similarly rejects such actions.

Mr Raggi, a vocal critic of the Iran-backed Lebanese group Hezbollah, had previously declared Iran’s ambassador to Lebanon, Mohammad Reza Sheibani, persona non grata in late March. Although Mr Sheibani's visa was renewed following a compromise in late August, he has not yet regained his diplomatic status.

In response, Mr Araghchi stated that he hoped the Lebanese Foreign Ministry would exhibit "greater rationality" and noted that Tehran desires positive relations with all groups and factions in Lebanon, alongside the Lebanese government.

Countering these remarks, Mr Raggi stated: "Rationality in relations between states begins, first and foremost, with engaging with states through their legitimate constitutional institutions, rather than with internal ‘parties’ or ‘factions’." He added that he welcomed Mr Araghchi's stated desire to maintain solid bilateral ties with the Lebanese government.

This diplomatic friction is the latest escalation in rising tensions between Beirut and Tehran over Iran's continued relationship with Hezbollah. The Lebanese government has intensified its efforts to disarm all militias, including Hezbollah, amid mounting pressure from Washington urging the group to surrender its weapons.

Lebanese President Joseph Aoun and Prime Minister Nawaf Salam have officially declared Hezbollah’s military operations illegal and have initiated direct negotiations with Israel to bring an end to hostilities. The current conflict escalated on March 2 when Hezbollah launched missiles toward Israel in support of Iran and in retaliation for persistent Israeli violations of a prior ceasefire. The resulting military campaign by Israel has resulted in the deaths of over 4,000 people and the destruction of numerous villages in southern Lebanon, where Israeli troops remain stationed.