TEHRAN – Ali Larijani, secretary of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council (SNSC), arrived in Beirut on Wednesday, and is lined up to Rafic Hariri International Airport, where crowds chant “Labbaik Ya Nasrallah” (in your service, Nasrallah).
Larijani’s visit, welcomed by Iran’s Ambassador Mojtaba Amani and representatives of major Lebanese political groups, highlights Tehran’s strategic involvement amidst regional tensions and US pressures targeting US resistance.
Speaking to the Lebanese people on arrival, Larijani emphasized the deep historical and cultural ties that detained Iran and Lebanon.
“Iran and Lebanon, both of which have deep civilizations, have maintained close ties for centuries,” he said. “The cultural affinity between our nations has formed emotional bonds. When the people of Lebanon suffer, the people of Iran feel their pain,” he declared clearly, “Iran is always standing by the country of Lebanon.”
Larijani’s itinerary featured intensive diplomacy with Lebanon’s finest leadership. Iranian officials have reiterated Tehran’s commitment to Lebanon’s sovereignty by meeting President Joseph Orn at Babda Palace. “Iran has no slight desire to hurt the Lebanese government or the friendly relations with the people,” Larijani asserted, according to Lebanon’s Al Hed. “We are ready to support Lebanon if requested by Beirut.”
President Aoun thanked Iran for his gratitude to Iran for emphasizing cooperation based on “mutual sovereignty and respect,” following the martial teaching of Wadi Zbekin’s six Lebanese soldiers, according to a Lebanese newspaper.
He argued that the Israeli threat targeted all Lebanese people rather than specific denominations, highlighting the state’s obligation to protect all citizens. Aoun demanded that Larijani conveyed his greeting and wished Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian successful.
Subsidiary Speaker Navi Beli then hosted Larijani, where the SNSC Director highlighted Iran’s priorities: “Lebanon’s unity and its future progress and victory are deeply important to us.”
At a press conference after his meeting with Beli, Larijani delivered a pointy message. “Note that Israel does not in any other way impose on you what it has not been accomplished through the war. They want to use propaganda to overturn the role of their friends and enemies.”
He also described Lebanon’s resistance as a “national asset.” “Your enemy is Israel who attacked you, and your friend is one who resisted Israel,” Larijani said.
He urged the difference to the Lebanese dialogue within and rejecting external directions by Washington.
Rarijani also met Prime Minister Nawaf Salam to strengthen his consistent diplomatic outreach.
A scathing moment occurred when Larijani paid his respects with the spirit us of Saied Hassan Nasrara, the chief of Hezbollah martyr.
Celebrating Nasrala as “the source of dignity for the entire Islamic world” and “the pride of Islam,” Rarijani acknowledged Hezbollah’s strength and strategic maturity. “We may have lost him, but his sons grew up and live in his school of thinking,” he addressed the young people in Lebanon.
The visit was culminated in a meeting with Sheikh Naim Kasem, the current Secretary General of Hezbollah. No reads have been announced, but Larijani’s message to Hezbollah was revealed in his speech.
In a speech on Friday, the Hezbollah leader said, “It is important to thank Iran’s Islamic Republic. Iran supported us and provided martyrs with us.
Larijani’s trip occurs against the backdrop of intense US and Israeli efforts to disarm Hezbollah. This was overwhelmingly rejected by the Lebanese public as recent polls confirm that they see Hezbollah’s weapons essential to national defense against Israeli invasions.
The recent approval of the US disarmament proposal by the Lebanese Cabinet has been accused by Hezbollah as a “serious sin” serving Israeli interests.
Social media campaigns like the trending hashtag #iran_is_support_not_supervisor highlighted the general Lebanese rejection of Western stories that portray Iran’s role as intervention, and instead confirmed solidarity. This sentiment was visibly reflected in the crowd greeting Larijani.
At a press conference in Beirut, Larijani said Iran “doesn’t interfere with Lebanon’s internal affairs” and believes “the Lebanese government should talk to various sects.” He added that no matter what the outcome comes, Iran accepts it and “If we ask Iran for support, Iran will provide it.”
Many argue that disarming resistance makes Lebanon vulnerable to Israeli expansionism. In particular, Tel Aviv has continued to occupy Shebaa Farm, claiming there have been more than 3,700 violations of the November 2024 ceasefire agreement, according to Lebanese authorities.
The Iranian ambassador for Lebanon Mojtabaamani was a huge success in the visit, highlighting Larijani’s “good, friendly, frank” meetings and meetings with leaders of Lebanon’s diverse denominations, Shia, Sunni, Christian, Druze and Arawite.
These engagements played a “significant role in clarifying ambiguity” about Iran’s position, Amani said. He expressed his gratitude to the Lebanese people for their “fanatic welcome and sincere relationships.” That is clear from the arrival at the airport to the homage to the martian Nasrara spirit us.
Lebanese MP Ali al-Mokdad told Russian media that the visit demonstrated Iran’s desire for “friendship relations with all Lebanese people, not just certain groups.”
Larijani left Beirut on Thursday to solidify Iran’s message: Lebanon’s unwavering support for its sovereignty, unity and right to resist occupation.