Lebanese president accuses Iran of using his country as a bargaining chip in peace talks with the US
Lebanese President Joseph Aoun accused Iran of using Lebanon as a bargaining chip in U.S. peace talks, stating the country’s people are exhausted by war with Israel and Hezbollah. Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi dismissed the claims, while Hezbollah leader Naim Qassem rejected ceasefire talks as surrender, demanding Israel’s withdrawal from Lebanese territory before any disarmament." "article": "Lebanese President Joseph Aoun condemned Iran in a CNN interview, accusing it of exploiting Lebanon as a negotiating tool in U.S. peace efforts amid the ongoing conflict with Israel. Aoun emphasized that Lebanon’s people, weary of repeated wars with Israel and Hezbollah, demand peace and stability, stating they ‘deserve to live in peace and dignity.’ He criticized Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) for prioritizing its own interests over Lebanon’s, arguing that the country’s sovereignty is being compromised. The conflict escalated this year after Hezbollah fired rockets at Israel in retaliation for a U.S.-Israeli strike that killed Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and senior military officials. Over 3,500 Lebanese have died, and nearly one-fifth of the population has been displaced. Lebanon’s government, backed by the U.S., has attempted to negotiate a ceasefire with Israel, an unprecedented move aimed at reducing Hezbollah’s influence. Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi rejected Aoun’s claims, stating that if Lebanon were a bargaining chip, a deal would already exist. He urged Aoun to focus on Israel as Lebanon’s ‘real foe.’ Meanwhile, Hezbollah leader Naim Qassem dismissed the Lebanon-Israel ceasefire talks as a ‘surrender,’ insisting disarmament is impossible without Israel’s full withdrawal from Lebanese territory. Aoun reiterated Lebanon’s willingness to engage in direct negotiations with Israel, calling it a ‘great opportunity’ to end decades of hostility. He warned that without diplomacy, neither Lebanon nor Israel would achieve lasting peace. However, Hezbollah’s stance remains firm, blocking any progress toward disarmament or lasting truces.
Lebanese President Joseph Aoun condemned Iran in a CNN interview, accusing it of exploiting Lebanon as a negotiating tool in U.S. peace efforts amid the ongoing conflict with Israel. Aoun emphasized that Lebanon’s people, weary of repeated wars with Israel and Hezbollah, demand peace and stability, stating they ‘deserve to live in peace and dignity.’ He criticized Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) for prioritizing its own interests over Lebanon’s, arguing that the country’s sovereignty is being compromised. The conflict escalated this year after Hezbollah fired rockets at Israel in retaliation for a U.S.-Israeli strike that killed Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and senior military officials. Over 3,500 Lebanese have died, and nearly one-fifth of the population has been displaced. Lebanon’s government, backed by the U.S., has attempted to negotiate a ceasefire with Israel, an unprecedented move aimed at reducing Hezbollah’s influence. Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi rejected Aoun’s claims, stating that if Lebanon were a bargaining chip, a deal would already exist. He urged Aoun to focus on Israel as Lebanon’s ‘real foe.’ Meanwhile, Hezbollah leader Naim Qassem dismissed the Lebanon-Israel ceasefire talks as a ‘surrender,’ insisting disarmament is impossible without Israel’s full withdrawal from Lebanese territory. Aoun reiterated Lebanon’s willingness to engage in direct negotiations with Israel, calling it a ‘great opportunity’ to end decades of hostility. He warned that without diplomacy, neither Lebanon nor Israel would achieve lasting peace. However, Hezbollah’s stance remains firm, blocking any progress toward disarmament or lasting truces.
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