Latest news with #IranianAmbassador
Asharq Al-Awsat
08-08-2025
- Politics
- Asharq Al-Awsat
Lebanese Officials Outraged over Iranian FM's ‘Incitement' against State Decisions
Lebanese officials were outraged on Thursday over Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi's recent remarks over the state's decision to disarm Tehran-backed Hezbollah. Araghchi said the decision will fail, sparking a wave of condemnation in Lebanon and complaints over Iran's meddling in its internal affairs. Some officials went so far as to demand that a complaint be filed against it at the United Nations Security Council. Foreign Minister Youssef Rajji tasked the ministry's secretariat with summoning the Iranian ambassador in Lebanon. In a statement, Rajji slammed Araghchi for commenting on Lebanese internal affairs 'that do not concern the Islamic Republic in any way, shape or form.' The remarks 'violate Lebanon's sovereignty, unity and stability and are interference in its internal affairs and sovereign decisions.' 'Relations between countries can only be built on mutual respect and non-interference in internal affairs, as well as a full commitment to the decisions taken by legitimate constitutional institutions,' he added. 'It is completely unacceptable for these relations to be used to encourage or support one party, which is operating outside the state and its institutions, to act against them,' he declared. Furthermore, Rajji underscored the Lebanese government's 'historic decision over limiting the possession of weapons to the state before the end of the year.' 'We clearly declare to the Arab and international communities: The decision is final and decisive and there can be no backing down from it,' he vowed. Political forces in Lebanon are concerned that Iran's latest position would empower Hezbollah to rebel against government decisions and give Israel an excuse to resume its war on Lebanon. Member of the Lebanese Forces' Strong Republic bloc MP Ghayath Yazbeck slammed Araghchi's statements as 'a complete violation of the dignity of a sovereign and independent state.' 'It reflects the extent of the blatant Iranian meddling in Lebanon and the harm it has done to the Lebanese people and their state,' he told Asharq Al-Awsat. He condemned Iran's 'clear destructive role in Lebanon,' noting that it has 'destroyed every country it has meddled in, including Yemen, Iraq and Syria, whose peoples are facing a dark fate that is difficult to escape.' Moreover, he said Araghchi's remarks are 'just as bad as the Israeli attacks on Lebanon.' He called on the government to take 'a clear decision that puts an end to this flagrant interference and submit a complaint against Iran and its officials at the Security Council, because Araghchi's comments are enough to spark a new Israeli war on Lebanon.' Iranian meddling in Lebanese affairs was one of the reasons that caused the latest war on Lebanon. The war started when Hezbollah, with Iran's backing, opened in 2023 a 'support front' against Israel in solidarity with Hamas in Gaza. Iranian officials had repeatedly said that there can be no separating the Lebanese and Gaza fronts. Iranian speaker Mohamed Bagher Qalibaf said so explicitly during a trip to Beirut last year. Democratic Gathering MP Faisal al-Sayegh slammed Araghchi's statements, saying it was 'the ultimate form of meddling in Lebanon's internal affairs.' 'Such remarks create a divide among the Lebanese people,' he told Asharq Al-Awsat. The government decision is in line with the constitution, President Joseph Aoun's swearing in speech, Taif Accord, international resolutions and the government policy statement, which enjoys the vote of confidence of Hezbollah MPs, he added. 'Limiting the possession of weapons to the state is the foundation of building a state,' he stressed. 'It paves the way for forging new and different relations with the Arab and international communities. It will help Lebanon secure American and international guarantees that Israel will not attack it again and withdraw from the points it is occupying in the South.' It will also lead to the liberation of prisoners held by Israel and the reconstruction process, he went on to say. He hoped Iran would 'reconsider' its positions and cease meddling in Lebanese and regional affairs. He hoped it would play a 'positive and helpful role' in Lebanon's reconstruction, which cannot take place before the state has monopoly over arms and decisions of war and peace.
LBCI
01-07-2025
- Politics
- LBCI
Berlin summons Iranian ambassador over arrest of alleged spy
The German foreign ministry said Tuesday it had summoned the Iranian ambassador in Berlin after a man was arrested in Denmark on suspicion of spying on Jews in Germany. "We will not tolerate any threat to Jewish life in Germany," the ministry said in a post on X, adding that the allegations needed to be "thoroughly investigated." AFP
Asharq Al-Awsat
23-06-2025
- Politics
- Asharq Al-Awsat
Iranian Consul General Commends Saudi Arabia for Ensuring Smooth Departure for Iranian Pilgrims
Iran's Consul General in Jeddah Hassan Zarnegar praised the level of organization and the facilities provided to Iranian pilgrims during their departure through Arar Airport and the Jadidat Arar border crossing. He stressed that the smooth procedures he observed reflect the Kingdom and its leadership's care for pilgrims, and highlight the continuous attention given to pilgrims from all countries. 'The streamlined procedures from the moment pilgrims disembarked the aircraft, to the swift passport processing, and the well-organized transfer to the border crossing by bus, demonstrate efficiency in managing pilgrim affairs,' he was quoted by SPA as saying, adding that the services provided to Iranian pilgrims confirm the Kingdom's steadfast approach in respecting nations. He also highlighted that relations between the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the Islamic Republic of Iran are based on religious and neighborly ties, noting that the care extended to Iranian pilgrims is not surprising in light of this spirit of brotherhood. On behalf of himself and the Iranian ambassador to the Kingdom, he expressed gratitude and appreciation to the Kingdom's leadership for the care and attention given to Iranian pilgrims as part of an integrated system.
CNN
20-06-2025
- Politics
- CNN
Israel and Iran vow to keep fighting at UN Security Council meeting
Both Iran and Israel's UN ambassadors say that their countries will continue to fight during a tense UN Security Council meeting.
Wall Street Journal
20-06-2025
- Politics
- Wall Street Journal
Israel Defends Strikes, Iran Asks for Help Before U.N. Security Council
Israel's ambassador to the U.N. lashed out at his Iranian counterpart during an United Nations Security Council meeting. Iran called on the Security Council to determine that Israel had committed a 'breach of peace.' Photo: Angela Weiss/AFP/Getty Images/Sarah Yenesel/EPA-EFE/Shutterstock
