Lebanon’s president has launched one of his sharpest attacks yet on Iran’s role in the country, declaring “this is our country” as tensions over Hezbollah, Israel and regional influence push Beirut into a high-stakes balancing act. President Joseph Aoun accused Tehran of using Lebanon as leverage in its confrontation with the United States and Israel, while insisting exhausted Lebanese citizens want peace after decades of conflict. A Rare Public Rebuke to Tehran In an interview with CNN, Aoun directly addressed Iran’s Revolutionary Guard, saying Lebanon was paying the price for interests that were not its own. “It is not your country, it is our country,” he said, arguing that repeated confrontations had left Lebanese communities trapped in cycles of destruction. Aoun stressed that many citizens, including members of the Shia community, were weary of war and wanted stability rather than another regional showdown. His comments align with growing calls inside Lebanon for the state to reclaim authority over security matters long dominated by the Iranian-backed Hezbollah. Peace Offer Meets Hard Reality Aoun also signalled readiness for direct negotiations with Israel aimed at securing a lasting ceasefire and ending a conflict that has shaped generations on both sides of the border. Yet he acknowledged the challenge ahead. While arguing Hezbollah’s influence can ultimately be reduced through state institutions and diplomacy, he warned that military force alone would not eliminate the movement. The message was clear: Lebanon wants de-escalation, but the path remains politically fraught. Iran Fires Back Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi swiftly rejected Aoun’s accusations, insisting Tehran was not treating Lebanon as a bargaining chip. In a pointed response on social media, Araqchi suggested that if Lebanon were truly under Iran’s control, agreements would already have been reached. He instead urged Aoun to focus on what he called Lebanon’s “real enemy”, a reference to Israel. Violence Threatens Fragile Progress The diplomatic clash unfolded as violence continued on the ground. An Israeli strike reportedly hit a Lebanese military vehicle, killing several soldiers, while additional attacks targeted southern Lebanon. The timing underlines the pressure facing Beirut. Even as political leaders discuss ceasefires and negotiations, fresh military escalation risks derailing efforts to pull Lebanon back from another wider regional conflict. Aoun tells Iran 'this is our country' as Araqchi warns of Lebanon's 'real enemy'
