Iran’s top diplomat appeared eager to convey Iran’s readiness to support a joint cease-fire in Lebanon and in Gaza — even as Iran’s supreme leader at home expressed readiness to fight Israel.
Iran’s foreign minister, Abbas Araghchi, was in Lebanon on Friday after meetings with leaders of Gulf countries earlier in the week in Qatar, where he and Iran’s President Masoud Pezeshkian endeavored to shore up relations with some of Iran’s closest neighbors.
In Lebanon the goal was to underscore Iran’s strong ties to Lebanon and solidarity with the Lebanese people as the Israeli military attacked areas controlled by the militant Lebanese group Hezbollah, which is close to Iran.
Mr. Araghchi also appeared eager to convey Iran’s readiness to support a deal involving a joint cease-fire in Lebanon and in Gaza — even as Iran’s supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, expressed Iran’s readiness to fight Israel if the Islamic Republic is attacked again. Mr. Khamenei made his comments at Friday prayers in Tehran.
The twin images of diplomacy and defiance underscored Iran’s difficult position as it endeavors to assert itself but also limit damage to its land and people.
Mr. Araghchi described his discussion with Najib Mikati, Lebanon’s caretaker prime minister, as involving “very good negotiations and consultations,” according to Iranian Press TV, a government channel.
In a news conference he elaborated, saying that: “Iran supports the efforts for a cease-fire, provided that first, the rights of the Lebanese people are respected and it is accepted by the resistance, and second, it comes simultaneously with a cease-fire in Gaza,” according to the official state Islamic Republic News Agency.
