Not Supported, Iran is Criticized, Lebanese President Asked to Focus on 'Real Enemy'

The impact of the Israeli air raid in Beirut, Lebanon. (World Vision)

JAKARTA - Iranian Foreign Minister (Menlu) Abbas Araghchi emphasized that Lebanon is not a "bargaining chip" for Iran.

This was said in response to Lebanese President Joseph Aoun's comments on CNN on Friday this week who criticized Iran for being considered to interfere with his country.

In negotiations with the US, Iran is known to have submitted a proposal containing one point to expel the Israeli army's invasion in southern Lebanon.

"Based on Mr. Aoun's comments, people will think that Iran is the one who has occupied 1/5 of Lebanon, displaced 1/4 of the Lebanese population and bombed his country every day," Araghchi said on his X account, Saturday, June 6, quoted from Xianhua.

"If Lebanon were a bargaining chip for Iran, we would have reached an agreement a long time ago," he said.

Araghchi asked Aoun to focus on other countries that created conflicts in southern Lebanon until Beirut caused many casualties.

"Save Lebanon from its real enemy, Mr. President," Araghchi continued.

In an interview broadcast by Lebanese television station Al Mayadeen on Wednesday this week, Araghchi warned that Iran would retaliate if Israel attacked Beirut.

He said Iran had told all parties that it would not tolerate an attack on the Lebanese capital and that such a move could trigger a return to war.

On Thursday this week, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) said Israel must immediately stop its attacks on the Lebanese people and withdraw from occupied Lebanese territory.

The Lebanese Army in a statement on Saturday, said several Lebanese military personnel, including an officer, were killed in an Israeli airstrike targeting a military vehicle on the Khardali-Nabatieh road in southern Lebanon.