Iran FM ‘bemused’ by Lebanon counterpart’s rejection of Tehran visit
Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi says he is “bemused” by his Lebanese counterpart’s decision not to accept Tehran’s invitation for an official visit, while welcoming an offer to meet in Beirut instead.
In a post published on X Thursday night, Araghchi said that while he was grateful for Youssef Raggi’s “kind invitation,” there was no need for “a ‘neutral’ venue” for talks between countries with “brotherly and full diplomatic relations.”
Araghchi added he understood why Raji was not prepared to travel to Tehran, citing Israel’s occupation and violations of a ceasefire.
“Hence I will gladly accept his invitation to come to Beirut,” he said, adding that Iran also sought “a new chapter” in bilateral ties based on the principles Raggi had outlined.
While grateful to @YoussefRaggi for his kind invitation, his decision not to welcome Iran's reciprocation of his warm hospitality is bemusing. Furthermore, foreign ministers of nations with brotherly and *full* diplomatic relations need no "neutral" venue to meet.
— Seyed Abbas Araghchi (@araghchi) December 11, 2025
Subjected to…
Lebanon’s foreign minister, in an official message cited by local media, had apologized for declining the Tehran visit, saying the refusal “does not mean rejecting dialogue,” but that “suitable conditions” for such a meeting were not currently available.
Raggi then eerily proposed a bilateral meeting in a “neutral third country” agreeable to both sides, and that Lebanon was in “full readiness to establish a new era of constructive relations with Iran based on mutual respect.”
The Lebanese foreign minister also echoed demands – mainly pushed by Israel, the US and their allies – that Hezbollah give up its arms despite almost daily aggression on Lebanon by the Zionist regime.
Raggi said that “building a strong state is only possible when the monopoly on arms is in the hands of the government and the national army, and decisions regarding war and peace are entrusted to the official sovereignty of the state.”
Despite a November 2024 ceasefire, Israel has kept troops in five areas of southern Lebanon and has continued near-daily airstrikes, repeatedly violating the truce. Israel claims it is targeting Hezbollah, but civilians have also been killed.
Hezbollah Secretary-General Naim Qassem has called on the Lebanese government to address Israeli violations and “achieve national sovereignty by expelling the Israeli occupation”. He has urged the government to develop a plan to support the army so it can confront Israeli aggression.
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