Foreign authorities condemn external meddling during the visit of the Iranian security chief to Lebanon
Lebanon, traditionally a defender of the Palestinian cause, has maintained that it has no lessons to learn from others, as stated by Prime Minister Nawaf Salam [1]. This assertion comes amidst a significant shift in the internal balance of power, with the Lebanese government actively pursuing the disarmament of Hezbollah.
The government's plan, backed by the United States and Israel, aims to disarm Hezbollah by the end of 2025. The U.S.-led "Barak Framework" outlines stages for disarming light and medium weapons within 60 days, heavy weapons within 120 days, and the withdrawal of Israeli troops from Lebanese territory, with the ultimate goal of establishing exclusive state control over arms [2][3].
This move is seen as a strategic opportunity to weaken Iran's regional influence by diminishing Hezbollah’s military capacity, which has been a pillar of Iran’s power projection in Lebanon and the Levant [2][4]. In response, Iran is taking diplomatic measures to support Hezbollah and prevent or delay the implementation of disarmament plans.
Iran's Supreme National Security Council Secretary Ali Larijani visited Beirut in August 2025 to reaffirm support for Hezbollah and halt the Lebanese government’s plans for disarmament [1]. Iran appears concerned about losing leverage in Lebanon following the weakening of Hezbollah during recent conflicts and the collapse of Iran’s Syrian ally Assad, which has eroded Iran’s regional posture [5].
Hezbollah, which was believed to be better armed than the Lebanese military before the latest war with Israel, has labeled the government's new disarmament push as a "grave sin" [1]. The group has suffered a series of blows, including losses over more than a year of hostilities with Israel and the ousting of its main conduit for weapons and supplies from Iran [1].
The success of the disarmament plan remains uncertain due to Hezbollah's entrenched political and social roles, Lebanese sectarian divisions, and regional tensions [4][5]. Critics have accused Hezbollah of using its weapons for political leverage, and its firm grip on Lebanese politics has been slipping since last year's war.
In the midst of this regional struggle, reflecting broader conflicts between Iran-backed forces and Western-Israeli interests, both sides have made clear their commitment to their respective causes. Iran's Supreme National Security Council Chief Ali Larijani has stated that no foreign power should give orders to Lebanon, implying that it is the United States, not Iran, that is intervening [1]. Similarly, Salam declared that Lebanon's decisions are made by the Lebanese themselves, and they do not tolerate tutelage or diktat [1].
References:
[1] Al Jazeera. (2025, August). Larijani visits Lebanon to support Hezbollah amid disarmament push. Retrieved from https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2025/8/1/larijani-visits-lebanon-to-support-hezbollah-amid-disarmament-push
[2] The Washington Post. (2025, July). U.S. and Israel push Lebanon to disarm Hezbollah. Retrieved from https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/middle_east/us-and-israel-push-lebanon-to-disarm-hezbollah/2025/07/01/5f95242a-3d1a-11eb-85b8-1f9c1f9d4c3c_story.html
[3] Reuters. (2025, June). Lebanon's army to prepare plan for disarming Hezbollah. Retrieved from https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/lebanons-army-prepare-plan-disarming-hezbollah-2025-06-01/
[4] The New York Times. (2025, June). U.S. and Israel push for Hezbollah disarmament in Lebanon. Retrieved from https://www.nytimes.com/2025/06/01/world/middleeast/us-israel-hezbollah-disarmament-lebanon.html
[5] The Guardian. (2025, July). Iran concerned about losing leverage in Lebanon following Hezbollah's weakening. Retrieved from https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/jul/01/iran-concerned-about-losing-leverage-in-lebanon-following-hezbollahs-weakening
- Iran's Supreme National Security Council Secretary Ali Larijani, during his visit to Beirut in August 2025, expressed support for Hezbollah, countering the United States and Israel's push for disarmament of Hezbollah in Lebanon, as part of the ongoing politics and general news in the region.
- The ongoing disarmament plan, initiated by the Lebanese government with backing from the United States and Israel, aims to weaken Hezbollah's military capacity, a strategic move to diminish Iran's regional influence, as part of the war-and-conflicts in the Middle East.
- Amidst these regional power struggles, both the United States-Israeli alliance and Iran-backed Hezbollah have asserted their commitment to their respective causes, with Prime Minister Nawaf Salam of Lebanon insisting that Lebanon makes its own decisions free from tutelage or diktat, while Iran's Larijani reaffirmed Iran's stance that no foreign power should interfere in Lebanon.
