Iran’s Supreme National Security Council Secretary Ali Larijani is traveling Monday to Iraq and then Lebanon for a three-day visit, marking his first foreign trip since assuming the post last week, Iranian state television reported.
Larijani’s visit to Lebanon comes as the Lebanese government has tasked the army with drafting a plan to disarm Hezbollah, a key ally of Tehran, by the end of the year.
“In this particular context, we are meeting with officials and influential figures to discuss the current situation, strengthen trade relations, and address security developments,” Larijani said Monday on state TV, without providing further details.
The council he leads is a strategic body responsible for defining Iran’s defense and security policies.
On Monday, Iran's foreign ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baqaei said Larijani's trip "aims to contribute to the maintenance of peace in the Middle East region".
He said that Iran recognized Lebanon's "right to defend itself against the aggression of the Zionist regime (Israel)," adding that this would be "impossible without military capabilities and weapons".
On Saturday, an adviser to Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said the country “certainly” opposed the Lebanese government’s decision to disarm Hezbollah. Lebanon’s Foreign Ministry responded by denouncing what it called Iran’s “blatant and unacceptable interference” in its internal affairs.
Last Wednesday, Tehran declared it would support any decision taken by Hezbollah, which has been significantly weakened by its recent war with Israel and the loss of its former ally, Syrian President Bashar al-Assad.
A prominent figure in Iranian politics, Larijani previously served as parliament speaker from 2008 to 2020 and as head of state broadcasting. He has also been an adviser to the Supreme Leader on strategic affairs and previously held the position of Supreme National Security Council secretary from 2005 to 2007 before resuming the role on August 5.
Regarding his visit to Iraq, Iranian state television said Larijani’s “main objective” was to sign a bilateral security agreement, without giving further details.
With AFP
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