Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esma’eel Baqayi says Iran considers the Hezbollah resistance movement an inseparable part of the Lebanese government, while the Islamic Republic maintains good relations with the government in Beirut.
Iran enjoys amity with the resistance in Lebanon, and sees the group as helpful to the Lebanese government, Baqayi said during a regular press briefing held on Monday, IRNA reported.
Tehran-Beirut ties have always been positive, with both sides open to addressing misunderstandings, he said, adding that this approach persists as “good meetings” were held during the recent trip of an Iranian government delegation to Beirut.
The spokesman was referring to the meetings that the Iranian delegation held with top Lebanese officials in Beirut on February 23. That day, senior Iranian officials including Parliament Speaker Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf and Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi visited the Lebanese capital to attend the funeral for late Hezbollah leaders Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah and Sayyed Hashem Safieddine, both assassinated by Israel last year.
Baqayi said the funeral marked a significant regional event that drew large crowds of people from Lebanon and other countries.
The relationship between Iran and Lebanon is historically rooted in mutual respect, and is based on internationally recognized principles as both are members of the United Nations, he emphasized.
