Hezbollah head Naim Qassem met with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi in Beirut on Wednesday, according to the Iranian-backed terrorist group.
According to a Hezbollah statement cited by Lebanon’s LBC TV outlet, Qassem thanked the Islamic Republic for its regional influence and its support for Palestinian “resistance” groups. Qassem was also said to have emphasized his commitment to Lebanon’s “progress, stability, sovereignty, and the expulsion of occupation from its territory.”
During the Beirut meeting, which reportedly was focused on “regional developments,” Araghchi stressed “the importance of bilateral relations with Lebanon and reiterated the Islamic Republic of Iran’s commitment to supporting Lebanon economically, politically and socially, based on mutual respect and enhanced cooperation between the two countries.”
On Tuesday, Araghchi met with senior Lebanese officials, including President Joseph Aoun, Prime Minister Nawaf Salam, Foreign Minister Youssef Raggi and parliament speaker and Hezbollah ally Nabih Berri.
Following their meeting, Aoun said he had stressed to Araghchi the importance of dialogue in “resolving differences,” according to a statement, adding that post-war reconstruction remained a priority for Beirut. Tehran’s top diplomat told journalists on Tuesday that Iranian companies were willing to take part in rebuilding Lebanon.
“I expressed my full support for Lebanon’s independence, sovereignty, territorial integrity, and reconstruction in light of Israel’s occupation,” Araghchi tweeted on Wednesday. The Iranian diplomat added, “Our goal and hope is to open a new chapter in our centuries-old relationship, built on mutual respect and shared interests.”
The situation in Lebanon remains volatile following the expiration of the ceasefire with Israel on Feb. 18. The deal ended over a year of war, after Hezbollah began attacking Israel the day after Hamas’s invasion of southern Israel on Oct. 7, 2023.
The terms of the Nov. 27 truce deal between Jerusalem and Beirut required Hezbollah to vacate all areas south of the Litani River.
Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz has repeatedly warned that the ceasefire would be void if Iranian-backed Hezbollah refuses to withdraw from Southern Lebanon as required.
Although Jerusalem has withdrawn most of its ground forces since the war ended, it still controls five strategic positions in Southern Lebanon.
Israeli officials have stated that the IDF will retain control of these areas until the Lebanese army demonstrates it can maintain security there.
