Araghchi to Rajji: Iran welcomes dialogue, rejects meddling in Lebanon
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Iran invites Lebanese FM Youssef Rajji to Tehran for direct talks, rejecting the need for a neutral venue and affirming non-interference in Lebanon.
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Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi speaks in a new briefing after attending a conference titled "International Law Under Assault: Aggression and Self-Defense," in Tehran, Iran, Sunday, Nov. 16, 2025 (AP)
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi invited his Lebanese counterpart, Youssef Rajji, to hold bilateral talks in response to comments made earlier by the Lebanese Foreign Minister.
Rajji stated earlier on Friday that he sees "no taboo" when it comes to the interests of the Lebanese people and called on his Iranian counterpart to hold negotiations in a third, neutral country to address alleged issues between Iran and Lebanon.
In a tweet on X, the Iranian foreign minister said his “dear friend”, Lebanese Foreign Minister Youssef Rajji, called him during an interview for MTV Lebanon for talks, asserting that Iran does not interfere in Lebanon's internal affairs.
صديقي العزيز وزير الخارجية اللبناني يوسف رجّي @YoussefRajji دعاني في مقابلة مع @MTVLebanon إلى إجراء التفاوض.
— Seyed Abbas Araghchi (@araghchi) November 21, 2025
نحن لا نتدخّل في الشؤون الداخلية للبنان؛ لكنّنا نرحّب بأي حوار بهدف تعزيز العلاقات الثنائية بين إيران ولبنان، ولا حاجة لبلدٍ ثالث. أدعو زميلي يوسف لزيارة طهران، وأنا… pic.twitter.com/gD8pqbmkab
Furthermore, Araghchi stated that Iran welcomes any discussions aimed at boosting bilateral relations between Iran and Lebanon, without the need for a third country. In this context, he invited Rajji to Tehran to hold these talks. He also expressed his willingness to visit Beirut should he receive a formal invitation to do so.
When in Lebanon...
On October 4, 2024, Abbas Araghchi visited Beirut, Lebanon, marking his first trip to the country after assuming his current post. During that visit, he arrived at Rafic Hariri International Airport and met with senior Lebanese officials amid heightened tensions along the Lebanon‑occupied Palestine border. The context of the visit underscored Iran’s interest in signalling both solidarity and a diplomatic presence amid escalating regional conflict.
Then on June 3, 2025, Araghchi visited Beirut again as part of a regional tour, arriving after a stop in Cairo. During meetings with Lebanon’s President Joseph Aoun, Prime Minister Nawaf Salam, and Speaker of Parliament Nabih Berri, he reaffirmed Iran’s respect for Lebanon’s sovereignty and emphasised non‑interference in its internal affairs.
Moreover, Araghchi held a meeting with his Lebanese counterpart, Youssef Rajji, where they discussed the state of Iran-Lebanon relations, regional developments, and avenues for strengthening diplomatic and economic cooperation. The meeting took place at the Lebanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs and was part of Araghchi’s official agenda during his regional tour.
