Iranian Official’s Visit to Beirut and Damascus Sends Clear Message

Ali Larijani, a senior Iranian official, recently visited both Beirut and Damascus, marking his third trip to Lebanon since Israel escalated its attacks in mid-September. During such visits, Iranian officials typically emphasize their support for Lebanon and its Hezbollah ally.

Many see this visit as a sign that Iran still holds significant influence in Lebanon through Hezbollah, despite the ongoing conflict with Israel. Larijani also visited Damascus, as the situation in Lebanon is closely tied to the ongoing battles in Syria, where Israel has increased its attacks on Hezbollah targets.

Israel wants to continue these operations in Syria as part of any ceasefire agreement, but this is a major point of disagreement. Lebanon and Hezbollah have made it clear that they will not accept any deal that undermines their sovereignty or forces them to surrender. The situation remains tense, with Iran asserting its role in regional negotiations.(By Al Jazeera)