Tehran: Iran voiced strong support for Hezbollah on Wednesday following a Lebanese government decision to disarm the group, stressing that Tehran plays no role in shaping its decisions. Speaking in a televised interview, Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said disarmament attempts are not new and stem from Hezbollah's growing strength on the battlefield.
According to Anadolu Agency, Araghchi remarked that this is not the first attempt to strip Hezbollah of its weapons, attributing the move to the group's proven battlefield strength. He noted that despite recent losses, Hezbollah remains firm, as evidenced by the group's leadership response and statements. Araghchi highlighted that key Lebanese Shia figures and movements, including the Amal Movement and Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri, continue to back Hezbollah, emphasizing the strength of the Shia current in Lebanon.
Araghchi stated that Hezbollah has recovered from the war's impact, reorganized its forces, and replaced commanders as necessary. He reiterated Iran's policy of non-interference in Hezbollah's decision-making, supporting the group's decisions without direct involvement.
Lebanese Foreign Minister Youssef Raggi quickly condemned Araghchi's remarks, labeling them as unacceptable interference in Lebanon's internal affairs. Raggi asserted that such statements undermine Lebanon's sovereignty and called for bilateral relations based on mutual respect and non-interference.
The diplomatic exchange occurs amid Lebanon's push to restrict arms possession to the national army, a move Hezbollah rejects as politically motivated and influenced by Israeli and US pressure. Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam has directed the military to draft a roadmap for the plan's implementation, while President Joseph Aoun announced a broader proposal addressing Israeli withdrawal, prisoner releases, and state control over arms.
Hezbollah dismisses the disarmament push as a 'grave sin,' ignoring it entirely. Cross-border warfare between Israel and Hezbollah, which began in October 2023, escalated into a full-scale conflict by September 2024. The conflict resulted in 4,000 deaths, including Hezbollah chief Hasan Nasrallah, and around 17,000 injuries. A ceasefire was reached in November, but Israeli forces continue near-daily attacks in southern Lebanon, claiming to target Hezbollah activities.
Under the truce, Israel was to fully withdraw from southern Lebanon by Jan. 26, but the deadline was extended to Feb. 18 after Tel Aviv's non-compliance. Israel maintains a military presence at five border outposts.