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On August 13, 2025, during his visit to Lebanon, the head of Iran's Supreme National Security Council, Ali Larijani, heard unequivocally from Lebanese President Joseph Aoun and Prime Minister Nawaf Salam that Lebanon is no longer under Iranian patronage and will not tolerate Iranian dictates or interference in its internal affairs.
Larijani's visit came amid tension between the two countries that followed the historic August 5 decision by the Lebanese government to disarm Hizbullah by the end of the year[1] – a decision that sparked rage in Hizbullah's patron Iran. Iranian officials, among them Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, as well as Ali Akbar Velayati, top advisor to Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, and Iraj Masjedi, deputy commander of Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC) Qods Force, expressed their vehement opposition to the Lebanon's sovereign decision, claiming that it reflected not the will of the Lebanese people but only Israeli and American aspirations. These senior Iranian officials voiced support for Hizbullah's refusal to comply with the demand to disarm,[2] and warned that Hizbullah could thwart this plan because it had already rebuilt itself following the war with Israel and is now "at the height of its powers." They added that Iran would support the organization in this matter.
Lebanon was quick to respond to these statements, perceiving them as direct and blatant interference in its domestic affairs. In a notable response, the Lebanese Foreign Ministry issued, unprecedentedly, not one but two harsh condemnations of "the violation of Lebanon's sovereignty, unity, and stability."
More condemnation and criticism came from the anti-Hizbullah and anti-Iran camp in Lebanon, which called on the Lebanese government to take diplomatic measures against Iran, such as expelling the Iranian ambassador and even severing relations with Iran, in addition to filing a complaint with the UN Security Council.
During his visit to Lebanon, Larijani reiterated his country's support for Hizbullah and its weapons, amid his diplomatic statements that his country does not interfere in Lebanon's internal affairs and seeks to maintain good relations with the country. However, as stated, he encountered a surprisingly firm and forceful response from the president and prime minister, with whom he met and who had not hesitated to reject Iran's criticism of the decision to disarm Hizbullah, calling it blatant interference in Lebanon's internal affairs. The two Lebanese leaders had informed Larijani that this decision stands, and had urged Iran to respect Lebanon's sovereignty and maintain its relations with Lebanon via its official institutions – not via Hizbullah.
Iranian Supreme National Security Council head Ali Larijani, on left, with Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam (Source: Al-Nahar, Lebanon, August 13, 2025)
This report will review reactions by Iranian regime officials to the Lebanese government's decision to disarm Hizbullah, along with the enraged responses in Lebanon to these Iranian statements reflecting the shift in Lebanon's attitude towards Iran.
Lebanese Officials To Iranian Supreme National Security Council Head Larijani: We Will Not Accept Foreign Dictates; The Decision To Disarm Hizbullah Stands
As noted, on August 13, 2025, Ali Larijani, who was recently appointed head of Iran's Supreme National Security Council, arrived in Lebanon amid tensions between the two countries that are growing due to Iran's open opposition to the Lebanese government's decision to disarm Hizbullah. The visit was marked by Larijani's chilly reception by the heads of the Lebanese state, who clarified to him that Lebanon's official relations with Iran had shifted and that Lebanon would no longer accept Iranian dictates.
Even before Larijani's arrival in the country, the Lebanese Nidaa Al-Watan daily, known for its opposition to Iran and Hizbullah, had declared Larijani persona non grata in Lebanon.[3]
Larijani's visit came amid tension between the two countries that followed the historic August 5 decision by the Lebanese government to disarm Hizbullah by the end of the year[1] – a decision that sparked rage in Hizbullah's patron Iran. Iranian officials, among them Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, as well as Ali Akbar Velayati, top advisor to Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, and Iraj Masjedi, deputy commander of Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC) Qods Force, expressed their vehement opposition to the Lebanon's sovereign decision, claiming that it reflected not the will of the Lebanese people but only Israeli and American aspirations. These senior Iranian officials voiced support for Hizbullah's refusal to comply with the demand to disarm,[2] and warned that Hizbullah could thwart this plan because it had already rebuilt itself following the war with Israel and is now "at the height of its powers." They added that Iran would support the organization in this matter.
Lebanon was quick to respond to these statements, perceiving them as direct and blatant interference in its domestic affairs. In a notable response, the Lebanese Foreign Ministry issued, unprecedentedly, not one but two harsh condemnations of "the violation of Lebanon's sovereignty, unity, and stability."
More condemnation and criticism came from the anti-Hizbullah and anti-Iran camp in Lebanon, which called on the Lebanese government to take diplomatic measures against Iran, such as expelling the Iranian ambassador and even severing relations with Iran, in addition to filing a complaint with the UN Security Council.
During his visit to Lebanon, Larijani reiterated his country's support for Hizbullah and its weapons, amid his diplomatic statements that his country does not interfere in Lebanon's internal affairs and seeks to maintain good relations with the country. However, as stated, he encountered a surprisingly firm and forceful response from the president and prime minister, with whom he met and who had not hesitated to reject Iran's criticism of the decision to disarm Hizbullah, calling it blatant interference in Lebanon's internal affairs. The two Lebanese leaders had informed Larijani that this decision stands, and had urged Iran to respect Lebanon's sovereignty and maintain its relations with Lebanon via its official institutions – not via Hizbullah.
Iranian Supreme National Security Council head Ali Larijani, on left, with Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam (Source: Al-Nahar, Lebanon, August 13, 2025)
This report will review reactions by Iranian regime officials to the Lebanese government's decision to disarm Hizbullah, along with the enraged responses in Lebanon to these Iranian statements reflecting the shift in Lebanon's attitude towards Iran.
Lebanese Officials To Iranian Supreme National Security Council Head Larijani: We Will Not Accept Foreign Dictates; The Decision To Disarm Hizbullah Stands
As noted, on August 13, 2025, Ali Larijani, who was recently appointed head of Iran's Supreme National Security Council, arrived in Lebanon amid tensions between the two countries that are growing due to Iran's open opposition to the Lebanese government's decision to disarm Hizbullah. The visit was marked by Larijani's chilly reception by the heads of the Lebanese state, who clarified to him that Lebanon's official relations with Iran had shifted and that Lebanon would no longer accept Iranian dictates.
Even before Larijani's arrival in the country, the Lebanese Nidaa Al-Watan daily, known for its opposition to Iran and Hizbullah, had declared Larijani persona non grata in Lebanon.[3]
