Iran–Lebanon relations

Iran and Lebanon have diplomatic relations, with embassies in each other countries. Since the Iranian Revolution in 1979, the two countries have deepened relations amidst controversy in Lebanon and abroad.

According to a 2012 Pew Global Attitudes Survey, 39% of Lebanese people viewed Iran favorably, compared to 61% which viewed it unfavorably; 62% of Lebanese oppose Iranian acquisition of nuclear weapons, 57% consider a nuclear-armed Iran a threat, and 74% approve of "tougher sanctions" on Iran, while 46% support use of military force to prevent Iran from developing nuclear weapons. Notably, while most Sunni Muslims and Christians in Lebanon expressed unfavorable views of President Ahmadinejad (92% and 57% respectively), 95% of Lebanese Shi'a viewed him favorably.A Global “No” To a Nuclear-Armed Iran
''Pew Research Center''

History

Relations between Iran and Lebanon during the reign of Shah Mohammad Reza Pahlavi occurred in two phases: The first phase lasted from the mid-1950s to the 1967 June war and was closely affected by the policies of Egyptian President Gamal Abdel Nasser, which led the Shah to support the government of Lebanon as well as other anti-Nasser governments in the Middle East; the second phase, from 1967 to 1979, witnessed tense relations because anti-Shah groups were trained by Palestinian militant organisations in Lebanon during this time span.

According to a 2012 Pew Global Attitudes Survey, 39 percent of Lebanese people viewed Iran favorably, compared to 61 percent which viewed it unfavorably; 62 percent of Lebanese oppose Iranian acquisition of nuclear weapons, 57 percent consider a nuclear-armed Iran a threat, and 74 percent approve of "tougher sanctions" on Iran, while 46 percent support use of military force to prevent Iran from developing nuclear weapons. Notably, while most Sunni Muslims and Christians in Lebanon expressed unfavourable views of President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad (92 percent and 57 percent respectively), 95 percent of Lebanese Shia Muslims viewed him favourably.

Amidst the polarised atmosphere of the Syrian Civil War, on 19 November 2013 two suicide bombings occurred outside the Iranian embassy in Beirut, Lebanon, killing 23 people, including an Iranian cultural attaché. A Sunni Islamist militant group claimed responsibility.

Political support

In Lebanon, support for ties with Iran are largely polarised over political lines with the March 14 Alliance opposing stronger ties, and the March 8 Alliance advocating stronger ties as a counterweight to Israel.

After all parties of the Lebanese government reached a consensus as part of the Doha Agreement, Iranian Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki traveled to Lebanon and welcomed the agreement as a "great achievement" for the Lebanese people.

Hezbollah

Iran has been alleged to have founded and funded Hezbollah, a relationship that some say continues to this day in an apparent nexus with Syria. During the 2006 Lebanon War, between the state of Israel and Hezbollah, Iran came out in firm support of Hezbollah in particular, and Lebanon in general.

Military support

Following Lebanese President Michel Suleiman's visit to Tehran in 2008 and the signing of a military and economic agreement between the two countries, formal military ties were encouraged.

Following the 2010 Israel-Lebanon border clash and consequent American threats to cut off funding for the Lebanese Army should it not be verified that Hezbollah would be kept from getting access to it, Lebanon's Defense Minister Elias Murr set up a fund to ask for donations to the armed forced. A few weeks later Suleiman asked Iran to consider selling advanced military equipment to the Lebanese Army, while stating modernization should take place while keeping in mind Beirut's strategic needs as well as its budget limitations. The next day, Iran's Defense Minister Ahmad Vahidi expressed readiness to offer military aid to Lebanon. "Lebanon is a friend and its army is our friend. We are prepared to help them." Iran's Ambassador to Lebanon, Ghazanfar Roknabadi, affirmed Iran's willingness to aid Lebanon as requested by President Sleiman and Defense Minister Elias Murr. Upon being asked if Iran was willing to sell advanced rocket systems, Abadi said the Iranian Defense Minister was clear on this matter. "Everything is open before Lebanon in supplying it with arms and supporting it other fields." He also affirmed Iran would help in solving Lebanon's electricity problems at international rates in six months. Lebanese parliamentary speaker Nabih Berri said that the Lebanese executive (as led by Saad Hariri), was afraid of the US' wrath and thus would not pursue the Iranian offer of arms supplies.

Iran's ambassador to Lebanon, Ghazanfar Roknabadi, vowed that Iran would support Lebanon in its battle with Israel.

Economic relations

Iran's Ambassador to Lebanon Ghazanfar Roknabadi suggested trade relations between the two countries could reach US$10 billion.

On March 25, 2022, after their meeting in Beirut, Lebanese President Michel Aoun tweeted that Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amirabdollahian informed him that Iran was ready to support Lebanon in all spheres, "most especially in the distribution of wheat."

Ahmadinejad visit to Lebanon

Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad planned his first visit to Lebanon as presidentAhmadinejad begins Lebanon trip -
Al Jazeera English. 13 October 2010. in October 2010, after his trip was previously delayed. His two-day visit included a tour of villages along Lebanon's tense border with Israel. He was scheduled to meet the Lebanese president, Prime Minister Saad Hariri and Speaker of Parliament Nabih Berri.

Iran's ambassador to Lebanon, Ghazanfar Roknabadi, said the visit was "aimed at fostering unity among the Lebanese and calling all Lebanese to stand beside each other for resistance and that is why Israel is furious and has threatened Lebanon...President Ahmadinejad is visiting Lebanon at the invitation of Lebanese President Michel Sleiman and the visit has political and economic dimensions."

Reactions

The visit came amidst concern from the United States, (who also warned their citizens against travel to Lebanon) Israel, (labeling the visit "provocative") and section of the March 14 alliance (who also initially called the visit "provocative" but were more quiet after similarities were made with Avigdor Lieberman's comments) such as Samir Geagea. Israel was monitoring his visit and increased the threat level on their northern border. Binyamin Netanyahu said of Ahmadinejad's speech that "we heard the curses and epithets from the Lebanese border. The best answer to those who curse was given here 62 years ago: the state and all that we have built and created since then. Look at this nation, look at this state, look at the army that the nation of Israel has. We will continue to build continue to create our state and we will know very well how to defend ourselves." Foreign Ministry spokesman, Yigal Palmor, also said "It is a provocative and destabilizing visit. It appears his intentions are blatantly hostile and he is coming to play with fire." France also called the visit provocative.

His visit also comes at a time of concern over Lebanon stability following rumours of an indictment by the Special Tribunal for Lebanon. His Lebanese counterpart, Michel Suleiman, however, asserted Lebanon's right to host foreign dignitary. The March 8 alliance's parliamentary leader Michel Aoun also came out in support of the visit and hit back at Israel and the US' reactions saying they were "disgraceful and offensive," while lauding Iran because "incethe revolution, Iran has always been backing Lebanon. We can see that not only in words but in actions. ran isbacking Lebanon with nothing in return." Hezbollah Secretary-General Hassan Nasrallah gave an address before the arrival praising Iran's contributions to Lebanon's postwar reconstruction. He was also expected to attend a rally on the day of the arrival at the Al-Raya stadium in southern Beirut.Hezbollah to welcome Ahmadinejad
''Al Jazeera'', 10 October 2010 He also said that though "there are those... who speak of an Iranian scheme for Palestine, for Lebanon, for the Arab region... and work to strike fear into governments and peoples what Iran wants for Lebanon is what the Lebanese want. What Iran wants in Palestine is what the Palestinians want. That is the Iranian scheme." The party's Deputy Secretary General Sheikh Naim Qassem hailed the visit as having succeeded before it starts and that since Suleiman invited him "Lebanon wants this visit to consolidate relations and ties between Lebanon and the Islamic Republic of Iran. We all know Iran’s services in Lebanon, we all know what Iran did in Lebanon without asking for anything in return." He cited pressure from United States, Europe, Israel and others as "proof" that the visit was "more important than we thought"Al-ManarTV: Ahmadinejad's Visit Even Succeeded before It Starts
AL ManarTV. 11 October 2010. Former Lebanese Prime Minister Salim Hoss also said "Iran is very mindful of good relations, strong relations with Arabs because this will give Iran space in the international arena with the Arabs on their side." He also criticised Israel and the US' objections on the grounds that the visit would "penthe eyes of the world to the situation on the border." A cabinet meeting chaired by the president and presided over by the prime minister called him "the honorable guest." The Minister of Youth and Sports, Ali Abdullah, said the visit was "significant," while the Energy and Water Minister, Gebran Bassil said the visit would bring positive achievements for Lebanese. The Agriculture Minister, Husayn al-Hajj Hassan, said Ahmadinejad would receive a warm welcome by all Lebanese, Information Minister Tarek Mitri said the visit would be a sign of solidarity, Health Minister Muhammad Jawad Khalifa hoped the visit would strengthen bilateral relations, and a minister of state, Adnan Kassar said Iran could help curtail political tensions in Lebanon. Former March 14 members Walid Jumblatt also said the visit "enhanced Lebanon's steadfastness against any aggression."

Prior to landing he had a called three other regional leaders to discuss regional issues: Saudi Arabia, Syria, Jordan. The Deputy Head of the Majlis' National Security and Foreign Policy Committee, Hossein Ebrahimi said Ahmadinejad's visit "is one of the important and rare developments that has happened since he victory ofIslamic Revolution;" and it would strengthen the Lebanese, Syrian and Palestinian resistance and show "that the establishment of the Islamic Republic will always stand beside these countries."

Following the visit, United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon expressed fears about the climate of "uncertainty" in the country that could cause instability across the region. He called on regional powers to stay out of Lebanon and urged Israel to halt military overflights in violation of Lebanon's sovereignty. Speaking of the political differences in the country he said: "The combination of mistrust between the parties and the continued presence of militias could lead to tensions and possible insecurity and instability in Lebanon and beyond. "The country should not be used as a staging ground to further regional aspirations or to promote conflict."

Media

''Al Manar'' hailed the visit, and called it "historic."

''Haaretz'' said Israeli defense officials believed Ahmadinejad would show support for Hezbollah and "hurl insults at Israel," though it added that the trip "is not intended to ignite another round of violence in the region."

''Yedioth Aharonoth''’s ''Ynet'' quoted Knesset MP Arieh Eldad: "History would have been different if in 1939 some Jewish soldier would have succeeded in taking Hitler out. If Ahmadinejad will be in the crosshairs of an IDF rifle when he comes to throw rocks at us, he must not return home alive." It also said "in Bint Jbail, a large replica of the Al-Aqsa Mosque in Jerusalem has been constructed, with an Iranian flag atop it" and the visit was meant to "showcase and confirm this" to the media. It added that Ahmadinejad was coming to Lebanon to deliver a warning. “(His) visit will showcase and confirm this. It may even have the effect of briefly focusing rare media attention on it. But beyond this, for Israel the trip consists, as one newspaper put it, of a largely “symbolic visit” by the “man who calls the shots” in south Lebanon.”

The ''Jerusalem Post'' talked about Ahmadinejad's expected visits to the battlegrounds of 2006 war and said he reportedly wanted to go to the border to "throw rocks t Israeli occupation soldiers" They quoted an Israeli diplomat who said: "Israel will not be harmed by the visit. We are not afraid of his visit; he will be just another terrorist in southern Lebanon. It is Lebanon that needs to be concerned, allowing the Iranian Trojan horse into the country. It is their sovereignty that is being chipped away." Foreign Ministry Spokesman Yossi Levy was quoted as believing "Lebanon, not Israel, would be the party to suffer most from Ahmadinejad’s scheduled visit next week to southern Lebanon. Lebanon is the primary victim, and if it wants to stop slipping into the jaws of the Iranian crocodile, it—and the moderate Arab world—should raise a strong voice and say this provocateur is not welcome."Ahmadinejad's Lebanon Visit in Israeli Eyes
Al ManarTV. 13 October 2010.

''Time magazine'' said the visit gave Ahmadinejad "an opportunity to change the subject" as the visit "underscore three harsh truths:" Iran is not as isolated as the United States would have liked; the Bush Administration's efforts to vanquish Iran and its allies had failed; and, that the balance in the region prompted even US-allied Arab regimes to engage pragmatically with an expanded Iranian role in the region. They also read his visit to the south as "intended to warn Israel off attacking Iran."

Visit events

During the visit he met with officials, political leaders, academicians, and university students. Ahmadinejad had a joint press conference with the Lebanese President, in which Suleiman condemned Israel's threats and praised Iran's support in "confronting Israel's aggression, particularly after the July 2006 war which enabled Lebanon to withstand the enemy," as well as differentiating between terrorism and resistance. He said the Palestinians have the right of return, and all "occupied Arab land" must be returned. He called for further joint work amid the signing of agreements in various fields during this trip. For his part, Ahmadinejad thanked his counterpart for the invitation to visit, as well as thanking Hariri, the Lebanese cabinet and the "Lebanese people for all their courage." He also praised the "Lebanese people for their resistance against the Zionist enemy." He said bilateral cooperation between two were "unlimited."Mahmoud Ahmadinejad - Michel Suleiman press conference. Press TV, 13 October 2010. He reiterated Suleiman's criticisms of Israel, while supporting the Palestinian cause and calling for the return of refugees, as well as the liberation of all "Palestinian territories" and the Lebanese and Syrian territories under occupation, saying the region could "never see justice with the Zionist enemy." He denounced "external interventions," while saying the region could take care of its own affairs. He concluded saying the Iranian people would stand side by side with all the Lebanese people and thanked them for the reception he received. During questions with the press, he said "we don't see any obstacles Lebanese_Army_because_"friends_have_offered_aid_and_the_Iranian_help_would_be_unconditional."_He_said_Iran_was_backing_the_resistance_for_"all_the_Lebanese,_rather_than_arming_of_the_ Lebanese_Army_because_"friends_have_offered_aid_and_the_Iranian_help_would_be_unconditional."_He_said_Iran_was_backing_the_resistance_for_"all_the_Lebanese,_rather_than_arming_of_the_Shia">Shiites_

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Berri hosted a dinner in Ahmadinejad's honour and attended by a host of political and religious groups. Berri thanked Ahmadinejad for his support of "Lebanon’s right to resistance with the aim of liberating its land and defending its sovereignty" and for Iran's willingness to arm the Lebanese Army because "friends have offered aid and the Iranian help would be unconditional." He said Iran was backing the resistance for "all the Lebanese, rather than arming of the Shia">Shiites