Raphael Kanu
Iran’s top security official, Ali Larijani, has embarked on his first foreign mission since taking office last week, traveling to Iraq on Monday before heading to Lebanon. His visit comes amid heightened regional tensions and renewed debate over Hezbollah’s future.
According to Iranian state television, Larijani will sign a bilateral security agreement during his stop in Baghdad. He will then travel to Beirut for high-level meetings with senior Lebanese officials and political figures.
The trip follows Lebanon’s controversial government decision to pursue the disarmament of Hezbollah, a move Tehran has strongly opposed. The Iranian government described the policy as a “flagrant and unacceptable interference” in Lebanese affairs, while Beirut defended its stance as a sovereign decision.
“Our cooperation with the Lebanese government is long-standing and deep,” Larijani told state TV before departure. “Lebanese national unity is important and must be preserved in all circumstances. Lebanon’s independence remains important to us and we will contribute to it.”
Iran’s objection to Hezbollah’s disarmament echoes earlier remarks from Ali Akbar Velayati, a senior adviser to Iran’s supreme leader, who claimed the plan serves “the will of the United States and Israel.” The debate follows last year’s war between Israel and Hezbollah, which significantly weakened the group’s military and political influence.
The push to strip Hezbollah of its weapons has been fueled by pressure from the United States, anti-Hezbollah parties within Lebanon, and fears of escalating Israeli strikes if the group remains armed.
Larijani, 68, was recently appointed head of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council, the body responsible for shaping the country’s defense and security policies. Its decisions require approval from Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. His appointment came in the aftermath of a 12-day war with Israel, triggered by an unprecedented Israeli attack on Iran in June targeting military, nuclear, and residential sites.