Beirut Welcomes Iranian FM for High-Stakes Regional Consultations
Abbas Araghchi, Iran’s top diplomat, arrived at Beirut’s Rafic Hariri International Airport on Thursday for a two-day visit aimed at holding in-depth consultations with senior Lebanese officials. The discussions will center on the latest regional developments and security threats, which Araghchi described as unprecedented in scale and intensity, particularly those posed by the Israeli regime.
Highlighting the region’s volatility over the past two years, Araghchi noted that seven countries, including Iran and Lebanon, have faced Israeli attacks. He also criticized ongoing violations of the ceasefire and Israel’s continued occupation of parts of Lebanese territory.
The Iranian minister stressed that his visit seeks to strengthen Iran-Lebanon relations across political, economic, and cultural spheres. “Both Iran and Lebanon share a rich cultural heritage and a long civilizational history. Expanding cultural exchanges will reinforce friendship and foster relations based on mutual respect,” Araghchi said. He also emphasized the importance of enhancing economic cooperation between the two nations.
In addition, Araghchi addressed the status of Iran-U.S. negotiations and the broader regional climate following a recent 12-day conflict involving Israel and U.S. actions against Iran. “We do not seek war, but we are fully prepared for it,” he stated. “We are open to negotiations, provided they are based on mutual interests and respect. Meaningful dialogue can only occur when the Americans understand that negotiation is not dictation.”
The visit underscores Tehran’s commitment to close diplomatic engagement with Beirut and to address regional challenges collaboratively while reinforcing strategic, cultural, and economic ties.
