Lebanon’s President Joseph Aoun delivered sharp condemnation of Iran on Friday, claiming Tehran is exploiting his nation as a negotiating tool in diplomatic talks with the United States. His remarks represent some of his harshest public criticism of Iran and its Lebanese partner Hezbollah amid the ongoing conflict with Israel.
During his CNN interview, Aoun declared that “the people of Lebanon are paying the price … for the sake” of Iran’s interests, adding that citizens were “fed up” with the Israel-Hezbollah conflict. His statements highlight the deep sectarian and political rifts within Lebanese society.
“They are using Lebanon as a bargaining chip in their negotiation with the United States,” Aoun stated regarding Iran, based on interview excerpts posted on CNN’s website. “It’s unacceptable.”
The Shi’ite Muslim organization Hezbollah, established by Iran’s Revolutionary Guards in 1982, sparked the current hostilities over three months ago by launching attacks in support of Tehran during a U.S.-Israeli offensive against Iran.
Aoun, a former military commander who now serves as head of state, belongs to the Maronite Christian community as mandated by Lebanon’s sectarian governance system.
Since parliament elected him to the presidency last year, he has advocated for Hezbollah’s peaceful disarmament. Early in the conflict, his call for direct negotiations with Israel further strained relations with the organization.
Iran has established a Lebanon ceasefire as a prerequisite for any broader peace agreement with Washington regarding the regional conflict that started with the U.S.-Israeli assault on Tehran on February 28.
On Thursday, Hezbollah turned down a ceasefire proposal that Lebanese and Israeli officials had endorsed during U.S.-facilitated discussions in Washington. The proposed agreement required Hezbollah to halt attacks and pull its forces back from southern Lebanon.
Hezbollah’s leader Naim Qassem declared in a Thursday written statement that the Washington proposal was opposed by “broad segments of the Lebanese people.”
Responding directly to Qassem, Aoun countered: “The Lebanese people are not your people.”
Lebanese officials report that Israeli military operations have resulted in thousands of deaths in Lebanon since March and forced approximately 1.2 million residents from their homes. Israeli forces currently control portions of southern Lebanon.
