Iran has said that Lebanese President Joseph Aoun has abandoned those who stood by him and should save his country from the “real enemy”.
Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei said the Lebanese president had turned his back on his supporters and was following those who had sought to silence him. Araghchi criticised President Aoun’s remarks accusing Iran of interfering in Lebanon’s affairs. Araghchi said President Aoun’s statements gave the impression that Iran had occupied one-fifth of Lebanon, displaced a quarter of the Lebanese population and was carrying out the daily bombardment of the country.
Addressing the Lebanese president, the Iranian foreign minister said: “Mr President, save Lebanon from the real enemy. If Iran had wished to use Lebanon as a bargaining card with the United States, an agreement would have been reached long ago.”
President Joseph Aoun had said in a recent interview with CNN that Iran was using Lebanon as a bargaining tool in ongoing negotiations aimed at ending the conflict with the United States. He also said Iran should not interfere in Lebanon’s internal affairs.
