Iran’s Larijani visit to Lebanon highlights divisions on Hezbollah arms

BEIRUT — Amid rising political tensions over the Lebanese government’s decision to disarm Hezbollah by the end of the year, Secretary of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council Ali Larijani arrived in Beirut on an official visit.

He emphasized that Iran does not support setting a fixed timeline for disarming Hezbollah, preferring internal dialogue over unilateral measures.

The visit began with a meeting at Baabda Palace with Lebanese President Joseph Aoun, marking the first stop in the Iranian official’s tour.

Aoun used the occasion to send a direct message to his guest, stressing that Lebanon rejects any interference in its internal affairs, regardless of the source.

“No party can bear arms while relying on external actors,” Aoun stated. “The Lebanese state and its army are responsible for the security of all Lebanese without exception.”

Via X, Aoun also criticized the language used by some Iranian officials toward Lebanon, describing it as “unhelpful,” while expressing Lebanon’s desire to cooperate with Iran within the bounds of respecting sovereignty and friendship, based on mutual respect.

Larijani, in turn, denied that Iran interferes in Lebanon’s internal affairs, asserting that his statements reflect Iran’s official stance.

He renewed his invitation for President Aoun to visit Iran, expressing Iran’s readiness to assist Lebanon in reconstruction efforts if the government requests it.

In Ain al-Tineh, where he met Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri, Hezbollah’s key ally, Larijani reiterated that Iran does not support decisions imposing a fixed timeline for disarming Hezbollah, referencing the roadmap proposed by US Ambassador to Turkey and Special Envoy for Syria Thomas Barrack.

He called for a comprehensive and serious national dialogue, stating that Iran respects any decision made by the government in coordination with political groups, before posing a rhetorical question: “Who attacked your country? Wasn’t it Israel?”

Upon his arrival at Beirut International Airport, Larijani’s convoy was greeted by Hezbollah supporters waving banners and pictures of him and Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, inscribed in Persian and Arabic with: “Welcome, Khosh Amadid.” Protesters also held up a sign quoting a Quranic verse: “We will never abandon our weapons, even if all of mankind and jinn gather against us.”

Larijani’s visit coincided with intense diplomatic activity in Lebanon, with Barrack, accompanied by his predecessor Morgan Ortagus, preparing for a new round of talks.

Meanwhile, France is set to dispatch its Envoy to Lebanon Jean-Yves Le Drian in preparation for an international conference on Lebanon’s reconstruction.

Reports also suggest an upcoming visit by Saudi Envoy to Lebanon Yazid bin Farhan, reflecting the Lebanese issue’s rapid escalation into a race between regional and international initiatives.

While Larijani seeks to portray Iran as a “proponent of dialogue,” observers note that Iran refusal to accept any timeline for disarming Hezbollah highlights the core disagreement with the Lebanese government and its Western allies.

This stance leaves Lebanon facing a difficult equation: either genuine internal consensus or continued division, hindering progress toward sovereignty and reform.