Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian has revealed that Iran and the United States have been exchanging messages lately, including about the Lebanon-based Hezbollah.
Washington had asked Tehran to urge Hezbollah to avoid getting deeply involved in the war against Israel.
The top Iranian diplomat stressed that Iran prefers a political solution in Gaza and warned Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu that attacking Lebanon would be disastrous for him.
Amir-Abdollahian made these statements after a two-day visit to Beirut, where he met with Lebanese officials and started by meeting Hezbollah chief Hassan Nasrallah.
From Beirut, Amir-Abdollahian said that progress is being made towards a political solution in Gaza, emphasizing that neither Iran nor Lebanon wants to escalate the conflict.
During a press conference alongside his Lebanese counterpart, Abdallah Bou Habib, Amir-Abdollahian affirmed that neither Iran nor Lebanon sought to expand the war in the region, reiterating that war is not the solution.
Bou Habib outlined a Lebanese perspective for a sustainable solution to restore calm to the South within the framework of UN Security Council Resolution 1701 of 2006.
The Lebanese Foreign Minister emphasized the need for the comprehensive implementation of the resolution, cessation of Israeli violations of Lebanese sovereignty, withdrawal from occupied territories, and the bolstering of the Lebanese Army.
Regarding meetings with Lebanese officials, Amir-Abdollahian described them as positive.
After holding talks with Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri, he simply stated that the meeting was good.
Following his discussion with the acting Prime Minister, Najib Mikati, Amir-Abdollahian remarked that developments in Gaza are leaning towards a political solution, contrasting with Netanyahu’s belief in war as a means of self-preservation.
Amir-Abdollahian emphasized Iran’s strong support for Lebanon’s stability and security.
Hezbollah stated that Amir-Abdollahian met with Nasrallah to discuss regional developments, especially in Gaza and southern Lebanon, and the future situation in Lebanon and the region.
