Iran's deputy foreign minister Saeed Khatibzadeh held talks with Lebanese officials in Beirut on Thursday in an apparent effort to ease mounting diplomatic tensions between the two countries, following Lebanon's refusal to recognise Tehran's newly appointed ambassador.
The visit coincided with a phone call between Lebanese President Joseph Aoun and Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, signalling a possible attempt to repair relations after months of strained relations over Iran's influence in Lebanon and its support for Hezbollah.
Lebanon has expressed willingness to turn the page with Tehran, provided ties are based on mutual respect, sovereignty and non-interference in each other's internal affairs.
However, Lebanese officials remain concerned that Hezbollah could once again draw the country into a wider regional conflict in support of Iran, particularly amid fears of renewed military escalation involving Tehran, Washington and Israel.
Khatibzadeh met Lebanese Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri at his Ain el-Tineh residence in Beirut on Thursday, with Iran's chargé d'affaires in Lebanon, Tawfiq Samadi, also attending.
The discussions focused on developments in Lebanon and the wider region, including Israel's continued attacks on Lebanese territory and its refusal to withdraw from the security zone it has established in southern Lebanon.
Following the meeting, Khatibzadeh emphasised the longstanding relationship between the two countries.
"I conveyed my warmest wishes to the Lebanese people and to Lebanon, this great country with which we share longstanding and friendly relations at various levels," he said.
He added that such visits were a natural part of bilateral relations, serving not only to exchange views but also to strengthen coordination between Beirut and Tehran.
The Iranian official arrived in Beirut on Wednesday, where he was received by representatives of Hezbollah and the Amal Movement.
He also met Sheikh Ali al-Khatib, deputy head of Lebanon's Higher Islamic Shia Council, to discuss regional developments and the prospects for the coming period.
During the meeting, Khatibzadeh outlined Iran's position on ongoing contacts and negotiations with the United States.
Lebanon insists on sovereignty and diplomacy
The diplomatic outreach follows Wednesday's telephone conversation between Aoun and Araghchi, during which the two officials discussed recent regional developments and agreed on the importance of pursuing diplomatic solutions to end conflicts across the Middle East.
Lebanese official sources told The New Arab's Arabic-language sister publication, Al-Araby Al-Jadeed, that Beirut remained open to relations with Iran based on mutual respect and non-interference.
The sources said Lebanon had previously asked Tehran to nominate a new ambassador to Beirut but remained firm in its rejection of attempts to turn the country into an arena for regional conflicts.
"Lebanon is tired of wars and refuses to continue being dragged into them," the sources said, adding that the country was still paying the price of previous conflicts involving Hezbollah.
They also expressed concern over escalating rhetoric from Hezbollah and continuing Israeli threats, while stressing that Beirut remained committed to negotiations despite the difficulties involved.
"There is no solution except diplomacy, not war," the sources said.
The visit has nevertheless drawn criticism from Lebanese political figures opposed to Hezbollah.
Kataeb Party leader and MP Samy Gemayel rejected Khatibzadeh's presence in Beirut, posting the words "persona non grata" in Persian on X on Wednesday.
Ambassador dispute deepens tensions
Relations between Beirut and Tehran have deteriorated in recent months, particularly over Iran's opposition to Lebanese government decisions aimed at placing all weapons under state control.
Lebanese authorities have accused Tehran of interfering in the country's internal affairs through its political and military support for Hezbollah.
Tensions intensified following the regional escalation in March, when Lebanon adopted a tougher stance towards Tehran following Iranian attacks on Arab and Gulf states.
The Lebanese government also introduced stricter measures concerning Iranian nationals after Israeli airstrikes targeted two hotels in and around Beirut during the March 2026 offensive.
Israel claimed that members of Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps were staying at the hotels and threatened further attacks against Iranian personnel in Lebanon.
The diplomatic dispute escalated after Tehran appointed Mohammad Reza Raouf Sheibani as its new ambassador to Beirut, replacing Mojtaba Amani, who was injured in Israel's pager attacks on 17 September 2024.
On 24 March, Lebanese authorities withdrew recognition of Sheibani's diplomatic accreditation and ordered him to leave the country.
He remained in Lebanon despite the decision and was subsequently granted a courtesy residency permit.
Khatibzadeh's visit also comes amid renewed attention to Iranian financial support for Hezbollah.
On Tuesday, Hezbollah announced financial assistance for displaced Lebanese families and those whose homes had been destroyed or rendered uninhabitable by Israeli attacks.
The announcement coincided with reports that Hezbollah had received $200 million in funding from Iran, although the US State Department issued statements disputing the existence of the alleged funds.
