Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi called on Lebanese President Joseph Aoun to save Lebanon from its real enemy. His comments came in response to statements by the Lebanese president, who accused Tehran of using Lebanon as a "bargaining chip" in its negotiations with Washington.

In a post on the social media platform X, Araghchi wrote: "Had Lebanon been a bargaining chip for Iran, we'd have a deal long ago." He added, "Save Lebanon from your real foe, Mr. President."

The Iranian Foreign Minister further remarked: "Based on Mr. Aoun's comments, one would think it's Iran that has occupied a fifth of Lebanon, displaced a quarter of Lebanese, and is bombing his country on a daily basis."

President Aoun had previously accused Iran of using Lebanon as a "bargaining chip," expressing his "categorical rejection" of any "interference in Lebanese affairs." Aoun stating, "This is not your country, it's ours," maintaining that the "diplomacy" currently pursued by official Lebanese authorities is the solution to emerge from the crisis.

Araghchi reiterated that Tehran does not interfere in Lebanese affairs, stating that instead the fates of Lebanon and Iran have become intertwined due to Israeli crimes. "It is Israel that linked us to Lebanon during the time of the war imposed upon us," Araghchi previously noted.

In an exclusive interview with Al-Mayadeen television, the Iranian diplomat reaffirmed that Tehran does not intervene in Lebanon's internal matters. However, he explained that the synchronicity of ending the war stems from the fact that Israel imposed it on both nations simultaneously.

The Islamic Republic directly links a ceasefire on its own front to a ceasefire in Lebanon. Tehran emphasizes that the outcome of the war waged against it by the United States and Israel is inseparable from the fate of the war in Lebanon. Consequently, Iran maintains that any ceasefire must encompass all resistance fronts, an objective it is actively pursuing in its negotiations with Washington.

The "diplomacy" pursued by official Lebanese authorities—which takes the form of "direct negotiations with the occupation"—coincides with daily attacks on Lebanese villages and cities, particularly in the southern part of the country. These attacks continue to target civilians across various sectors, most recently evidenced by a strike hitting an ambulance yesterday.

Meanwhile, the Islamic Resistance in Lebanon (Hezbollah) continues to confront the invading Israeli forces. The group is executing fierce engagements, directly targeting concentrations of occupation soldiers and their military vehicles, and drawing Israeli forces into tactical ambushes in defense of Lebanon, its people, and in response to ongoing Israeli violations.