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Iran's top security official promised in Lebanon on Wednesday that his nation would maintain its support, following the Lebanese government's directive for the army to develop a strategy to disarm the Tehran-supported militant group Hezbollah.
Ali Larijani's visit to Lebanon follows Iran's expressed disapproval of a governmental initiative to disarm Hezbollah, which was thought to be better equipped than the Lebanese military prior to a conflict with Israel last year.
"If… the Lebanese people are in pain, we in Iran will share that suffering and will support the beloved people of Lebanon in all situations," Larijani, head of the National Security Council, stated to reporters upon arriving in Beirut. Many Hezbollah supporters gathered along the road leading to the airport to greet Larijani.
He momentarily exited his vehicle to acknowledge them as they shouted supportive slogans.
In Lebanon, Larijani is set to meet with President Joseph Aoun, Prime Minister Nawaf Salam, and Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri, who is allied with Hezbollah.
Iran has faced various setbacks in its ongoing rivalry with Israel, particularly during a 12-day open conflict between the two nations in June.
Hezbollah's influence has diminished since the war with Israel concluded in a November 2024 ceasefire, and the new Lebanese government, which has U.S. backing, has taken steps to further limit its power.
Hezbollah is part of Iran's so-called "axis of resistance" — a coalition of armed factions in the region, including Hamas in Gaza and Yemen's Huthi rebels, united against Israel.
The removal of Bashar al-Assad in Syria last December, which had previously facilitated the flow of weapons between Iran and Hezbollah, disrupted the supply line to Lebanon.
Iran has firmly opposed the Lebanese government's effort to disarm Hezbollah, while the group itself has denounced the move as a "grave sin."
