5 days ago
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A senior Iranian official representing Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei met with Lebanese officials in Beirut to discuss a possible ceasefire with Israel, hinting at carrying a direct message from Tehran's highest authority.
Ali Larijani met with Lebanese caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati and Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri, discussing ways to secure a ceasefire, support displaced Lebanese, and explore mutual interests, according to a tweet from the Iranian Embassy in Lebanon.
During the talks, Larijani, a former speaker of parliament, expressed Iran’s unwavering support for Lebanon, emphasizing backing for its government, military, and resistance against what he described as "aggression by the criminal Israeli entity."
In a subtle nod to Tehran’s deeper involvement, Larijani also carried a personal message from the Supreme Leader to Berri, according to Iranian state media. However, details of the message remain under wraps.
Mikati, speaking on the same day, stressed Lebanon’s commitment to fully implementing United Nations Security Council Resolution 1701 without amendments. The resolution, adopted to end the conflict between Hezbollah and Israel in 2006, calls for southern Lebanon to remain free of weapons outside state control.
Currently, a US-brokered proposal is under discussion that would require Hezbollah to relocate its forces and weapons north of the Litani River, about 18 miles from the Israeli border, according to the Wall Street Journal. The Lebanese military and United Nations peacekeepers would be tasked with preventing the group’s return. Israeli Strategic Affairs Minister Ron Dermer briefed Donald Trump on the plan at Mar-a-Lago, with Trump endorsing the proposal and expressing hope for its implementation before his inauguration on January 20.
Meanwhile, Iran appears to be extending an olive branch—or at least a strategic handshake—on multiple fronts. Last month, the Speaker of Iran’s Parliament indicated Tehran’s willingness to negotiate with France to implement UN resolutions concerning southern Lebanon.
On Thursday, Iranian President Mohammad Pezeshkian expressed Iran’s willingness to cooperate with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) to address questions about its nuclear program. A senior Iranian official said that Tehran would send a message to three European powers through visiting IAEA Chief Rafael Grossi, underscoring Iran’s seriousness about resolving its nuclear standoff with the West, Reuters reported Thursday.
