Lebanon rebukes Iran ambassador for remarks on Hezbollah disarmament
Lebanon Condemns Tehran’s Ambassador Over Remarks on Hezbollah Disarmament
Lebanon’s foreign ministry has taken a firm stance against Tehran’s ambassador to Beirut after he made comments suggesting that plans to disarm the Iran-backed Lebanese militant group Hezbollah were part of a “conspiracy”. Hezbollah has been facing increasing pressure to give up its arsenal following a conflict with Israel in 2024 that severely weakened the group and caused widespread destruction in southern Lebanon.
President Joseph Aoun is set to engage in discussions with Hezbollah about disarmament, a topic that has long been considered taboo due to the group’s significant influence over the Lebanese state. However, Iran’s ambassador to Beirut, Mojtaba Amani, sparked controversy when he posted on social media, labelling the disarmament project as a conspiracy.
In response, Lebanon’s foreign ministry summoned Amani and stressed the importance of adhering to diplomatic protocols and respecting the sovereignty of states. Criticism of Iran by top Lebanese officials is rare, given Tehran’s strong support of Hezbollah. In a similar incident last year, then-prime minister Najib Mikati openly criticized Iran and called for the summoning of the Iranian ambassador over reported comments by a senior Iranian official.
The tension between Iran and Lebanon over the issue of Hezbollah disarmament highlights the complex political dynamics in the region. As discussions continue, it remains to be seen how the situation will unfold and whether Hezbollah will ultimately agree to give up its weapons.
