Rajji said Lebanon seeks a return to the ceasefire agreement with Israel, though he expressed pessimism about prospects for peace. He stressed that recent meetings of the international mechanism overseeing the cease-fire should not be mistaken for "traditional" negotiations with Israel. On Iran, Rajji accused Tehran of destabilizing the region. "Iran’s regional policy is a source of instability," he said, adding that its influence on Lebanon is harmful. He urged Tehran to "stop financing an illegal organization," referring to Hezbollah, while noting Lebanon remains open to dialogue if Iran ceases interference in its internal affairs. Iran is a major sponsor of the Hezbollah terrorist organization and in the past has vowed to always support the group.
Iranian officials have criticized Lebanon’s recent decision to disarm the terror group, in line with a ceasefire agreement reached with Israel last year. Despite the disagreements between Lebanon’s government and Hezbollah, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi announced Thursday he accepted an invitation from Rajji to visit Beirut in order to open “a new chapter” in relations. Rajji’s comments came after the IDF announced strikes on a Hezbollah training and qualification compound in southern Lebanon. On Tuesday, Israel carried out strikes on a Radwan training site and launch facility. Israel has struck Hezbollah targets in Lebanon even after a ceasefire went into effect last year, due to the fact that the terrorist organization continues to rebuild its military infrastructure and maintain an armed presence near Israel’s northern border. (Source)
