Lebanon tells Iran to deal with state institutions, not factions

Lebanon's Foreign Ministry on Sunday told Tehran that bilateral relations must be conducted exclusively through legitimate state institutions rather than with political factions, responding to recent Iranian overtures toward Lebanese actors outside official channels. The statement welcomed Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi's expressed desire to establish good relations with Beirut but stressed that respect for sovereignty must be reciprocal.

"Rationality in relations between states requires dealing first with states through their constitutional and legitimate institutions, not with parties or factions within them," the ministry said in a statement issued from Beirut. It added that Lebanon has always sought the best possible relations with all countries, including Iran, and has approached issues with "rationality, openness and a constructive spirit."

Diplomatic protocol row

The ministry emphasized that Tehran — which maintains close ties with Hezbollah — would not accept a Lebanese ambassador bypassing Iranian state institutions to engage independently with internal groups, and that Beirut similarly rejects such conduct. "Relations between states are built with and through states, and respect for sovereignty is a reciprocal principle that does not tolerate selectivity or circumvention," it added.

Araghchi on Friday said Iran wanted good relations with all Lebanese groups and factions, and was also prepared to maintain good ties with the government. Tensions between Beirut and Tehran have persisted since March, when the Lebanese Foreign Ministry declared Iranian Ambassador Mohammad Reza Sheibani persona non grata following alleged violations of diplomatic protocols, though Sheibani has remained in his post with support from Iran-aligned factions.