UNIPA News(Lebanon) 06 June:Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has criticized comments made by Lebanese President Joseph Aoun regarding Tehran’s alleged influence in Lebanon, urging the Lebanese leader to focus on what he described as the country’s “real foe” rather than Iran.

In a post on X on Saturday, Araghchi responded to remarks Aoun made during an interview with CNN, arguing that the Lebanese president had misidentified the source of Lebanon’s challenges. He said Aoun’s comments ignored what Iran views as the primary threat facing Lebanon.

Araghchi also rejected Aoun’s suggestion that Iran was using Lebanon as leverage in negotiations with the United States. According to the Iranian foreign minister, if Lebanon had been a bargaining tool for Tehran, an agreement with Washington would have been reached long ago.

During the CNN interview, Aoun addressed Iran’s Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC), stating that Lebanon belongs to the Lebanese people and not to any foreign power. His remarks came after IRGC Commander Brigadier General Esmaeil Qaani said Hezbollah’s minimum demand remained a full Israeli withdrawal to positions held before the outbreak of the recent conflict.

Aoun further alleged that Iran was treating Lebanon as a bargaining chip in its discussions with the United States, describing such an approach as unacceptable. He also called on Hezbollah to pursue diplomacy as the sole path toward ending hostilities with Israel.

The exchange comes amid continued tensions in Lebanon despite a US-brokered ceasefire agreement between the Lebanese government and Israel. Lebanese authorities and local reports have accused Israeli forces of continuing airstrikes and military operations in parts of southern Lebanon following the ceasefire.

According to Lebanon’s Health Ministry, at least 3,526 people have been killed since the conflict escalated in March. Reports also indicate that Israeli military operations and Hezbollah’s armed activities continue to fuel instability along the border region.