{"id":1975626,"date":"2026-06-06T12:26:53","date_gmt":"2026-06-06T09:26:53","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/?p=1975626"},"modified":"2026-06-06T12:26:53","modified_gmt":"2026-06-06T09:26:53","slug":"aoun-tells-iran-this-is-our-country-as-araqchi-warns-of-lebanons-real-enemy","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/?p=1975626","title":{"rendered":"Aoun tells Iran &#8216;this is our country&#8217; as Araqchi warns of Lebanon&#8217;s &#8216;real enemy&#8217;"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>[analyse_image type=&#8221;featured&#8221; src=&#8221;https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/78\/72\/94\/1200x675_cmsv2_b791b859-fd3b-5264-aa11-f11b772fa5db-9787294.jpg&#8221;]<\/p>\n<article id=\"abe-2899742-pos1-c-latest-stories\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-1 m-modeDesktop-1 m-modeXL-1 the-media-object--has-video\" data-nid=\"2899742\" data-cid=\"9787505\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2899742-label-pos1-c-latest-stories\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/78\/75\/05\/189x106_cmsv2_90d4f59b-faea-5a66-99c5-86e368d865b8-9787505.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"Dua Lipa and Callum Turner host party in Palermo to celebrate their wedding\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n                    No Comment<\/p>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Dua Lipa and Callum Turner celebrate with guests at Sicily wedding party\n  <\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2899732-pos2-c-latest-stories\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-1 m-modeDesktop-1 m-modeXL-1 the-media-object--has-video\" data-nid=\"2899732\" data-cid=\"9787482\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2899732-label-pos2-c-latest-stories\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/78\/74\/82\/189x106_cmsv2_e8fcfd79-cbd2-5d2d-88ac-eb32ca37d947-9787482.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"The Iran team have moved their training base to Mexico after the US refused to allow certain officials to enter the country. 18 May, 2026.\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n                    Mexico<\/p>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Iran football squad cleared for US entry but staff still await visas\n  <\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2899731-pos3-c-latest-stories\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-1 m-modeDesktop-1 m-modeXL-1\" data-nid=\"2899731\" data-cid=\"9787458\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2899731-label-pos3-c-latest-stories\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/78\/74\/33\/189x106_cmsv2_a649eb2c-b227-5085-9273-d692378841c1-9787433.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"Temperatures set to rise and approach 40\u00b0C in Spain in the week of 8\u201314 June\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n                    Climate<\/p>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Heat set to stay in Spain, up to 38\u00b0C next week\n  <\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2899702-pos4-c-latest-stories\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-1 m-modeDesktop-1 m-modeXL-1\" data-nid=\"2899702\" data-cid=\"9787434\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2899702-label-pos4-c-latest-stories\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/78\/73\/80\/189x106_cmsv2_1b59cadd-3621-536b-9d49-ff848e21fc75-9787380.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"&quot;Mehrzweckeier&quot;: a dig at Merz for Youth Word of the Year? Voting starts\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n                    Culture news<\/p>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    &#8220;Mehrzweckeier&#8221;: Anti-Merz diss as youth word of the year?\n  <\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2899742-pos1-c-latest-stories-sidebar\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-2 m-modeDesktop-2 m-modeXL-2 the-media-object--has-video\" data-nid=\"2899742\" data-cid=\"9787505\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2899742-label-pos1-c-latest-stories-sidebar\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/78\/75\/05\/189x106_cmsv2_90d4f59b-faea-5a66-99c5-86e368d865b8-9787505.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"Dua Lipa and Callum Turner host party in Palermo to celebrate their wedding\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n                    No Comment<\/p>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Dua Lipa and Callum Turner celebrate with guests at Sicily wedding party\n  <\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2899732-pos2-c-latest-stories-sidebar\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-2 m-modeDesktop-2 m-modeXL-2 the-media-object--has-video\" data-nid=\"2899732\" data-cid=\"9787482\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2899732-label-pos2-c-latest-stories-sidebar\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/78\/74\/82\/189x106_cmsv2_e8fcfd79-cbd2-5d2d-88ac-eb32ca37d947-9787482.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"The Iran team have moved their training base to Mexico after the US refused to allow certain officials to enter the country. 18 May, 2026.\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n                    Mexico<\/p>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Iran football squad cleared for US entry but staff still await visas\n  <\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2899731-pos3-c-latest-stories-sidebar\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-2 m-modeDesktop-2 m-modeXL-2\" data-nid=\"2899731\" data-cid=\"9787458\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2899731-label-pos3-c-latest-stories-sidebar\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/78\/74\/33\/189x106_cmsv2_a649eb2c-b227-5085-9273-d692378841c1-9787433.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"Temperatures set to rise and approach 40\u00b0C in Spain in the week of 8\u201314 June\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n                    Climate<\/p>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Heat set to stay in Spain, up to 38\u00b0C next week\n  <\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2899702-pos4-c-latest-stories-sidebar\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-2 m-modeDesktop-2 m-modeXL-2\" data-nid=\"2899702\" data-cid=\"9787434\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2899702-label-pos4-c-latest-stories-sidebar\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/78\/73\/80\/189x106_cmsv2_1b59cadd-3621-536b-9d49-ff848e21fc75-9787380.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"&quot;Mehrzweckeier&quot;: a dig at Merz for Youth Word of the Year? Voting starts\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n                    Culture news<\/p>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    &#8220;Mehrzweckeier&#8221;: Anti-Merz diss as youth word of the year?\n  <\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article class=\"helper-site-row o-article-newsy\">\n<div class=\"helper-site-container o-article-newsy__container\">\n<div class=\"o-article-newsy__main\">\n<header class=\"h-grid o-article-newsy__main__header\">\n<nav aria-label=\"Breadcrumbs\" class=\"c-article-breadcrumbs\">\n<div id=\"adb-article-breadcrumb\" class=\"c-article-breadcrumbs__list\">\n<p>                          News<\/p>\n<p>                          World<\/p><\/div>\n<\/nav>\n<h1 class=\"c-article-redesign-title\">\n                            Aoun tells Iran &#8216;this is our country&#8217; as Araqchi warns of Lebanon&#8217;s &#8216;real enemy&#8217;<\/h1>\n<div class=\"c-article-image-video u-position-relative \">\n<div class=\"js-superdiv u-aspect-ratio-16x9 u-position-relative \" data-sponsored=\"Partner content\"><img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"js-poster-img c-article-media__img\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/78\/72\/94\/1536x864_cmsv2_b791b859-fd3b-5264-aa11-f11b772fa5db-9787294.jpg\" width=\"1536\" height=\"864\" loading=\"eager\" alt=\"Lebanese President Joseph Aoun attends a joint press conference with French President Emmanuel Macron at the \u00c9lys\u00e9e Palace in Paris, 28 March 2025. (Sarah Meyssonnier\/Pool\/AP)\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"c-article-caption u-position-absolute\"><i id=\"article-caption-content\" class=\"c-article-caption__content\"><span class=\"c-article-caption__text\"><br \/>\n              Lebanese President Joseph Aoun at a press conference with French President Emmanuel Macron at the \u00c9lys\u00e9e Palace in Paris, Friday 28 March 2025. (S. Meyssonnier\/Pool via AP)<br \/>\n                    <span class=\"u-color-white\">&#8211;\u00a0<\/span><span class=\"c-article-caption__copyright\">Copyright\u00a0<\/span><span class=\"c-article-caption__credit\">Anadolu<\/span><\/span><\/i><\/div>\n<div class=\"c-article-image-copyright c-article-image-copyright--novideo\">\n      Copyright\u00a0Anadolu\n  <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/header>\n<div class=\"h-grid o-article-newsy__main__body u-article-content\">\n<div class=\"o-article-newsy__contributors-publication-date\">\n<div class=\"c-article-contributors\">\n  By&amp;nbspChaima Chihi&amp;nbsp&amp;&amp;nbsp<b>\u064a\u0648\u0631\u0648\u0646\u064a\u0648\u0632<\/b><\/div>\n<div class=\"c-article-publication-date\" data-timestamp=\"1780748813\">\n         Published on<br \/>\n            <time datetime=\"2026-06-06 14:26:53 +02:00\">06\/06\/2026 &#8211; 14:26 GMT+2<\/time><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-article-partage-commentaire u-align-items-center u-display-flex\"><span class=\"c-article-partage-commentaire__links u-align-items-center u-display-flex u-justify-content-center js-c-article-partage-commentaire-share\"><span>Share<\/span><\/span><span>Comments<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"c-article-partage-commentaire-popup-overlay js-c-article-partage-commentaire-popup-overlay u-display-none\">\n<div id=\"js-c-article-partage-commentaire-popup\" class=\"c-article-partage-commentaire-popup js-c-article-partage-commentaire-popup\">\n<div class=\"c-article-partage-commentaire-popup__header u-display-flex\"><span>Share<\/span><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/vector\/icon-close.svg\" width=\"24\" height=\"24\" alt=\"Close Button\" class=\"u-cursor-pointer js-c-article-partage-commentaire-close\" loading=\"lazy\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"c-article-partage-commentaire-popup__content u-display-flex\">\n<div id=\"partage-commentaire-popup-content-container\" class=\"c-article-partage-commentaire-popup__content__container u-display-flex\"><span class=\"u-display-flex u-gap-1 u-show-for-mobile-only\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/vector\/social-icons\/article-redesign-facebook.svg\" width=\"24\" height=\"24\" alt=\"facebook\" loading=\"lazy\"><span>Facebook<\/span><\/span><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/vector\/social-icons\/article-redesign-facebook.svg\" width=\"48\" height=\"48\" alt=\"facebook\" class=\"u-show-for-desktop\" loading=\"lazy\"><span class=\"u-display-flex u-gap-1 u-show-for-mobile-only\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/vector\/social-icons\/article-redesign-twitter.svg\" width=\"24\" height=\"24\" alt=\"twitter\" loading=\"lazy\"><span>Twitter<\/span><\/span><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/vector\/social-icons\/article-redesign-twitter.svg\" width=\"48\" height=\"48\" alt=\"twitter\" class=\"u-show-for-desktop\" loading=\"lazy\"><span class=\"u-display-flex u-gap-1 u-show-for-mobile-only\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/vector\/social-icons\/article-redesign-flipboard.svg\" width=\"24\" height=\"24\" alt=\"flipboard\" loading=\"lazy\"><span>Flipboard<\/span><\/span><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/vector\/social-icons\/article-redesign-flipboard.svg\" width=\"48\" height=\"48\" alt=\"flipboard\" class=\"u-show-for-desktop\" loading=\"lazy\"><span class=\"u-display-flex u-gap-1 u-show-for-mobile-only\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/vector\/social-icons\/article-redesign-send.svg\" width=\"24\" height=\"24\" alt=\"send\" loading=\"lazy\"><span>Send<\/span><\/span><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/vector\/social-icons\/article-redesign-send.svg\" width=\"48\" height=\"48\" alt=\"send\" class=\"u-show-for-desktop\" loading=\"lazy\"><span class=\"u-display-flex u-gap-1 u-show-for-mobile-only\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/vector\/social-icons\/article-redesign-reddit.svg\" width=\"24\" height=\"24\" alt=\"reddit\" loading=\"lazy\"><span>Reddit<\/span><\/span><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/vector\/social-icons\/article-redesign-reddit.svg\" width=\"48\" height=\"48\" alt=\"reddit\" class=\"u-show-for-desktop\" loading=\"lazy\"><span class=\"u-display-flex u-gap-1 u-show-for-mobile-only\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/vector\/social-icons\/article-redesign-linkedin.svg\" width=\"24\" height=\"24\" alt=\"linkedin\" loading=\"lazy\"><span>Linkedin<\/span><\/span><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/vector\/social-icons\/article-redesign-linkedin.svg\" width=\"48\" height=\"48\" alt=\"linkedin\" class=\"u-show-for-desktop\" loading=\"lazy\"><span class=\"u-display-flex u-gap-1 u-show-for-mobile-only\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/vector\/social-icons\/article-redesign-messenger.svg\" width=\"24\" height=\"24\" alt=\"messenger\" loading=\"lazy\"><span>Messenger<\/span><\/span><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/vector\/social-icons\/article-redesign-messenger.svg\" width=\"48\" height=\"48\" alt=\"messenger\" class=\"u-show-for-desktop\" loading=\"lazy\"><span class=\"u-display-flex u-gap-1 u-show-for-mobile-only\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/vector\/social-icons\/article-redesign-telegram.svg\" width=\"24\" height=\"24\" alt=\"telegram\" loading=\"lazy\"><span>Telegram<\/span><\/span><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/vector\/social-icons\/article-redesign-telegram.svg\" width=\"48\" height=\"48\" alt=\"telegram\" class=\"u-show-for-desktop\" loading=\"lazy\"><span class=\"u-display-flex u-gap-1 u-show-for-mobile-only\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/vector\/social-icons\/article-redesign-vk.svg\" width=\"24\" height=\"24\" alt=\"vk\" loading=\"lazy\"><span>VK<\/span><\/span><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/vector\/social-icons\/article-redesign-vk.svg\" width=\"48\" height=\"48\" alt=\"vk\" class=\"u-show-for-desktop\" loading=\"lazy\"><span class=\"u-display-flex u-gap-1 u-show-for-mobile-only\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/vector\/social-icons\/article-redesign-bluesky.svg\" width=\"24\" height=\"24\" alt=\"bluesky\" loading=\"lazy\"><span>Bluesky<\/span><\/span><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/vector\/social-icons\/article-redesign-bluesky.svg\" width=\"48\" height=\"48\" alt=\"bluesky\" class=\"u-show-for-desktop\" loading=\"lazy\"><span class=\"u-display-flex u-gap-1 u-show-for-mobile-only\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/vector\/social-icons\/article-redesign-threads.svg\" width=\"24\" height=\"24\" alt=\"threads\" loading=\"lazy\"><span>Threads<\/span><\/span><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/vector\/social-icons\/article-redesign-threads.svg\" width=\"48\" height=\"48\" alt=\"threads\" class=\"u-show-for-desktop\" loading=\"lazy\"><span class=\"u-display-flex u-gap-1 u-show-for-mobile-only\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/vector\/social-icons\/article-redesign-whatsapp.svg\" width=\"24\" height=\"24\" alt=\"whatsapp\" loading=\"lazy\"><span>Whatsapp<\/span><\/span><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/vector\/social-icons\/article-redesign-whatsapp.svg\" width=\"48\" height=\"48\" alt=\"whatsapp\" class=\"u-show-for-desktop\" loading=\"lazy\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<h2 class=\"c-article-summary\">\n        Lebanese President Joseph Aoun accused Iran of exploiting Lebanon in its conflict with the US and Israel while calling for direct peace talks with Israel and Hezbollah\u2019s disarmament.<br \/>\n    <\/h2>\n<div class=\"c-article-content js-article-content\">\n<p>Lebanese President Joseph Aoun accused Iran of using Lebanon as a bargaining chip in its confrontation with the United States and Israel. At the same time, Tehran rejected these allegations through its foreign minister, who said that if Lebanon really were a bargaining chip in Iran&#8217;s hands, an agreement would have been reached a long time ago.<\/p>\n<div>\n<div class=\"c-ad u-show-for-mobile-only\">\n<div class=\"c-ad__placeholder\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"c-ad__placeholder__logo\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/logos\/logo-euronews-stacked-outlined-72x72-grey-9.svg\" width=\"72\" height=\"72\" alt loading=\"lazy\"><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-ad u-show-for-desktop\">\n<div class=\"c-ad__placeholder\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"c-ad__placeholder__logo\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/logos\/logo-euronews-stacked-outlined-72x72-grey-9.svg\" width=\"72\" height=\"72\" alt loading=\"lazy\"><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>In an interview with the US network CNN, Aoun addressed Iran&#8217;s Revolutionary Guard, saying: &#8220;It is not your country, it is our country&#8221;. <\/p>\n<p>He added, &#8220;You are not trying to help us. It is the Lebanese who are paying the price for your own interests, and our interests do not coincide with yours.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>Aoun stressed that he is committed to doing whatever it takes to prevent Lebanon from sliding into further escalation, insisting that Lebanese people are fed up with the repeated wars between Israel and Hezbollah, which enjoys Iranian backing and wields considerable influence inside the country.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;We are tired and we want to live in peace,&#8221; he said, adding that the Lebanese deserve to live with dignity, and do not deserve to see their homes destroyed every five or 10 years.<\/p>\n<p>The Lebanese president announced that his country is ready for direct negotiations with Israel to secure a ceasefire, saying: &#8220;We are ready, willing and committed to negotiate. There is a major opportunity to end the state of war between [the] Lebanese and Israelis,&#8221; noting that both sides have been tired of war since 1948.<\/p>\n<p>Aoun said he had sensed a strong desire for peace among all components of Lebanese society, including the Shia community, as some had told him they were weary of repeated wars. In a firm tone, he added: &#8220;They are Lebanese, not followers of Naim Qassem.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>Even so, the Lebanese president criticised Israel&#8217;s military strategy against Hezbollah, arguing that the party&#8217;s influence can only be ended through the state and after an Israeli withdrawal, and insisting that negotiation is the only solution. &#8216;They can invade the country or destroy it completely, but they will not achieve their objective, because Hezbollah is an idea.&#8217;<\/p>\n<p>Before taking office as president, Aoun served as army commander for eight years. He was wounded in battle and still carries shrapnel in his body, and he suffers hearing damage as a result of being close to the front lines. Nevertheless, he underlined his rejection of war and preference for diplomatic avenues, saying: &#8216;I prefer negotiation to war. I do not want my children or the people of Lebanon to live through the same suffering.&#8217;<\/p>\n<p>Aoun concluded by saying that he would try to negotiate and persuade Hezbollah to disarm, considering that this is ultimately possible, but at a high cost.<\/p>\n<p>The Lebanese presidency&#8217;s position aligns with earlier statements by Prime Minister Nawaf Salam, who in turn urged Tehran to stop using Beirut as a tool of pressure.<\/p>\n<h2>Araqchi to Aoun: &#8216;Save Lebanon from its real enemy&#8217;<\/h2>\n<p>Responding to Aoun&#8217;s remarks, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi rejected the Lebanese president&#8217;s accusations about Tehran&#8217;s interference in Beirut&#8217;s affairs.<\/p>\n<p>In a post on the X platform, Araqchi wrote: &#8216;Based on Mr Aoun&#8217;s remarks, one might think that Iran is occupying one-fifth of Lebanon, has displaced a quarter of its population and is bombing his country on a daily basis,&#8217; adding: &#8216;If Lebanon were a bargaining chip in Iran&#8217;s hands, we would have reached an agreement a long time ago.&#8217;<\/p>\n<p>He concluded: &#8216;Save Lebanon from your real enemy, Mr President.&#8217;<\/p>\n<h2>Israeli strike kills Lebanese soldiers<\/h2>\n<p>At a time when the Lebanese president is signalling openness to negotiations with Tel Aviv to end the war, efforts to de-escalate suffered a setback on the ground, when an Israeli air strike targeted a Lebanese military vehicle on the Khardali\u2013Nabatieh road, killing several soldiers, including two officers.<\/p>\n<p>The Israeli army also struck a car in the town of Jarmak in the south of the country.<\/p>\n<h2>Beirut&#8217;s southern suburbs versus northern Israel<\/h2>\n<p>Israel has spoken of a new equation under which Beirut&#8217;s southern suburbs would be targeted if northern areas come under Hezbollah attack, prompting Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi to warn that hitting the Lebanese capital could spark a new confrontation in the Middle East.<\/p>\n<p>Hezbollah rejects any discussion of disarmament before an Israeli withdrawal. Its secretary-general Naim Qassem considers negotiations to be surrender, insisting that this approach is rejected by broad sectors of Lebanese society.<\/p>\n<p>Since its establishment in the 1980s, Hezbollah has fought repeated battles with Israel, which led to Israel&#8217;s withdrawal in 2000 from the border strip it had occupied since 1978.<\/p>\n<p>Earlier this year, the group fired rockets towards Israel in response to a joint US-Israeli attack on Iran that resulted in the killing of Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei and a number of senior military commanders.<\/p>\n<p>Two days ago, Lebanon and Israel reached an agreement to begin implementing a ceasefire, including the creation of pilot zones under the control of the Lebanese army, with a truce conditional on a complete halt to attacks by Hezbollah, as well as the withdrawal of all its fighters from the area south of the Litani River.<\/p>\n<p>According to official Lebanese figures, Israeli military operations have killed more than 3,516 people and wounded over 10,670 others, and have displaced more than one million people from their areas since the end of February, the date of the assassination of Iran&#8217;s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, which drew Hezbollah into the confrontation between Tehran, Washington and Tel Aviv.<\/p>\n<p>According to the World Health Organization, military operations in Lebanon have killed more than 600 people since 17 April.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p>                                  Go to accessibility shortcuts<\/p>\n<div class=\"c-article-partage-commentaire u-align-items-center u-display-flex\"><span class=\"c-article-partage-commentaire__links u-align-items-center u-display-flex u-justify-content-center js-c-article-partage-commentaire-share\"><span>Share<\/span><\/span><span>Comments<\/span><\/div>\n<div id=\"adb-article-you-might-also-like\" class=\"perf-cv-auto c-article-you-might-also-like\">\n<h2 class=\"c-article-you-might-also-like__title\">\n        Read more<br \/>\n      <\/h2>\n<div class=\"c-article-you-might-also-like__item\">\n<h3>\n<p>                  Vancouver: A travel guide to the 2026 World Cup host city<\/p>\n<\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-article-you-might-also-like__item\">\n<h3>\n<p>                  Aoun tells Iran &#8216;this is our country&#8217; as Araqchi warns of Lebanon&#8217;s &#8216;real enemy&#8217;<\/p>\n<\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-article-you-might-also-like__item\">\n<h3>\n<p>                  Iran football squad cleared for US entry but staff still await visas<\/p>\n<\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"perf-cv-auto\">\n<ul id=\"adb-article-tags\" class=\"c-tags-list\">\n<li class=\"c-tags-list__item\">\n<section class=\"tc-cta\" data-twig-component=\"Cta-default\">\n  Iran<br \/>\n<\/section>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"c-tags-list__item\">\n<section class=\"tc-cta\" data-twig-component=\"Cta-default\">\n  Israel<br \/>\n<\/section>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"c-tags-list__item\">\n<section class=\"tc-cta\" data-twig-component=\"Cta-default\">\n  Hezbollah<br \/>\n<\/section>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"c-tags-list__item\">\n<section class=\"tc-cta\" data-twig-component=\"Cta-default\">\n  Lebanon<br \/>\n<\/section>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<aside class=\"o-article-newsy__aside\">\n<div class=\"c-ad-wrapper o-article-newsy__aside__content-1\" data-ad-name=\"adzone-halfpage\">\n<div class=\"c-ad c-ad-halfpage u-show-for-desktop\">\n<div class=\"c-ad__placeholder\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"c-ad__placeholder__logo\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/logos\/logo-euronews-stacked-outlined-72x72-grey-9.svg\" width=\"72\" height=\"72\" alt><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-ad u-show-for-mobile-only\">\n<div class=\"c-ad__placeholder\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"c-ad__placeholder__logo\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/logos\/logo-euronews-stacked-outlined-72x72-grey-9.svg\" width=\"72\" height=\"72\" alt><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"adb-article-top-stories\" class=\"perf-cv-auto c-top-stories\">\n<h2 class=\"c-top-stories__title\">Top stories<\/h2>\n<div class=\"c-top-stories__item\">\n<article id=\"abe-2899573-pos2-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-2 m-modeDesktop-2 m-modeXL-2 the-media-object--has-video the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2899573\" data-cid=\"9786932\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2899573-label-pos2-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/78\/69\/32\/320x180_cmsv2_e9f9135a-d61e-5c8c-81cf-cd9b2234131c-9786932.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"Prime Minister of Montenegro Milojko Spaji\u0107 speaking to Euronews in Tivat, 5 June, 2026\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    &#8216;Cookie&#8217; Montenegro can pave the way for Balkans, PM tells Euronews<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-top-stories__item\">\n<article id=\"abe-2899702-pos3-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-2 m-modeDesktop-2 m-modeXL-2 the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2899702\" data-cid=\"9787434\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2899702-label-pos3-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/78\/73\/80\/320x180_cmsv2_1b59cadd-3621-536b-9d49-ff848e21fc75-9787380.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"&quot;Mehrzweckeier&quot;: a dig at Merz for Youth Word of the Year? Voting starts\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    &#8220;Mehrzweckeier&#8221;: Anti-Merz diss as youth word of the year?<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-top-stories__item\">\n<article id=\"abe-2899688-pos4-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-2 m-modeDesktop-2 m-modeXL-2 the-media-object--has-video the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2899688\" data-cid=\"9787318\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2899688-label-pos4-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/78\/04\/47\/320x180_cmsv2_9c6f854c-c1f2-525b-a0e0-2e0c1669106d-9780447.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"A serviceman of Ukraine&apos;s defense intelligence prepares a one-way drone against Russia in an undisclosed location in Ukraine 28 May, 202\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Ukraine launches large-scale drone attack as Putin meets Schr\u00f6der<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-top-stories__item\">\n<article id=\"abe-2898204-pos5-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-2 m-modeDesktop-2 m-modeXL-2 the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2898204\" data-cid=\"9779843\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2898204-label-pos5-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/77\/98\/43\/320x180_cmsv2_75dfd37b-6c7b-52b6-b84b-df524a8e2e80-9779843.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"Ursula von der Leyen.\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Von der Leyen warned about China. Europe didn&#8217;t listen. Will it now?<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-top-stories__item\">\n<article id=\"abe-2899689-pos6-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-2 m-modeDesktop-2 m-modeXL-2 the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2899689\" data-cid=\"9787323\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2899689-label-pos6-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/78\/73\/19\/320x180_cmsv2_e39a008d-e886-512d-8f52-7ba173eb28e7-9787319.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"Pope Leo XIV arrives\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Spain welcomes Pope Leo XIV on landmark six-day tour<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"perf-cv-auto c-ad-wrapper o-article-newsy__aside__content-2\" data-ad-name=\"adzone-halfpage\">\n<div class=\"c-ad c-ad-halfpage u-show-for-desktop\">\n<div class=\"c-ad__placeholder\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"c-ad__placeholder__logo\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/logos\/logo-euronews-stacked-outlined-72x72-grey-9.svg\" width=\"72\" height=\"72\" alt><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-ad u-show-for-mobile-only\">\n<div class=\"c-ad__placeholder\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"c-ad__placeholder__logo\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/logos\/logo-euronews-stacked-outlined-72x72-grey-9.svg\" width=\"72\" height=\"72\" alt><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"perf-cv-auto c-most-viewed\">\n<h2 class=\"c-most-viewed__title qa-section-title\">Most read<\/h2>\n<div class=\"c-most-viewed__list\">\n<div class=\"c-most-viewed__item\"><span class=\"c-most-viewed__item__number\">1<\/span><\/p>\n<article id=\"abe-2899445-pos1-mostViewed\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-3 m-modeDesktop-3 m-modeXL-3 the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2899445\" data-cid=\"9786209\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Trump \u2018oil painting\u2019 portrait goes viral and sparks Pride Month jokes<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-most-viewed__item\"><span class=\"c-most-viewed__item__number\">2<\/span><\/p>\n<article id=\"abe-2899507-pos2-mostViewed\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-3 m-modeDesktop-3 m-modeXL-3 the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2899507\" data-cid=\"9786742\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Tornado, hail and thunderstorms: Germany&#8217;s current weather situation<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-most-viewed__item\"><span class=\"c-most-viewed__item__number\">3<\/span><\/p>\n<article id=\"abe-2899542-pos3-mostViewed\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-3 m-modeDesktop-3 m-modeXL-3 the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2899542\" data-cid=\"9786730\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    At least 49 die of thirst in Niger desert after truck breaks down<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-most-viewed__item\"><span class=\"c-most-viewed__item__number\">4<\/span><\/p>\n<article id=\"abe-2898204-pos4-mostViewed\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-3 m-modeDesktop-3 m-modeXL-3 the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2898204\" data-cid=\"9779843\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Von der Leyen warned about China. Europe didn&#8217;t listen. Will it now?<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-most-viewed__item\"><span class=\"c-most-viewed__item__number\">5<\/span><\/p>\n<article id=\"abe-2899547-pos5-mostViewed\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-3 m-modeDesktop-3 m-modeXL-3 the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2899547\" data-cid=\"9786907\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Giant Nosferatu spiders on Baltic coast: What to do if they bite<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"perf-cv-auto c-ad-wrapper o-article-newsy__aside__content-3\" data-ad-name=\"adzone-halfpage\">\n<div class=\"c-ad c-ad-halfpage u-show-for-desktop\">\n<div class=\"c-ad__placeholder\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"c-ad__placeholder__logo\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/logos\/logo-euronews-stacked-outlined-72x72-grey-9.svg\" width=\"72\" height=\"72\" alt><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-ad u-show-for-mobile-only\">\n<div class=\"c-ad__placeholder\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"c-ad__placeholder__logo\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/logos\/logo-euronews-stacked-outlined-72x72-grey-9.svg\" width=\"72\" height=\"72\" alt><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2899573-pos2-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-2 m-modeDesktop-2 m-modeXL-2 the-media-object--has-video the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2899573\" data-cid=\"9786932\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2899573-label-pos2-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/78\/69\/32\/320x180_cmsv2_e9f9135a-d61e-5c8c-81cf-cd9b2234131c-9786932.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"Prime Minister of Montenegro Milojko Spaji\u0107 speaking to Euronews in Tivat, 5 June, 2026\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    &#8216;Cookie&#8217; Montenegro can pave the way for Balkans, PM tells Euronews<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2899702-pos3-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-2 m-modeDesktop-2 m-modeXL-2 the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2899702\" data-cid=\"9787434\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2899702-label-pos3-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/78\/73\/80\/320x180_cmsv2_1b59cadd-3621-536b-9d49-ff848e21fc75-9787380.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"&quot;Mehrzweckeier&quot;: a dig at Merz for Youth Word of the Year? Voting starts\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    &#8220;Mehrzweckeier&#8221;: Anti-Merz diss as youth word of the year?<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2899688-pos4-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-2 m-modeDesktop-2 m-modeXL-2 the-media-object--has-video the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2899688\" data-cid=\"9787318\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2899688-label-pos4-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/78\/04\/47\/320x180_cmsv2_9c6f854c-c1f2-525b-a0e0-2e0c1669106d-9780447.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"A serviceman of Ukraine&apos;s defense intelligence prepares a one-way drone against Russia in an undisclosed location in Ukraine 28 May, 202\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Ukraine launches large-scale drone attack as Putin meets Schr\u00f6der<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2898204-pos5-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-2 m-modeDesktop-2 m-modeXL-2 the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2898204\" data-cid=\"9779843\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2898204-label-pos5-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/77\/98\/43\/320x180_cmsv2_75dfd37b-6c7b-52b6-b84b-df524a8e2e80-9779843.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"Ursula von der Leyen.\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Von der Leyen warned about China. Europe didn&#8217;t listen. Will it now?<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2899689-pos6-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-2 m-modeDesktop-2 m-modeXL-2 the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2899689\" data-cid=\"9787323\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2899689-label-pos6-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/78\/73\/19\/320x180_cmsv2_e39a008d-e886-512d-8f52-7ba173eb28e7-9787319.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"Pope Leo XIV arrives\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Spain welcomes Pope Leo XIV on landmark six-day tour<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2899445-pos1-mostViewed\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-3 m-modeDesktop-3 m-modeXL-3 the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2899445\" data-cid=\"9786209\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Trump \u2018oil painting\u2019 portrait goes viral and sparks Pride Month jokes<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2899507-pos2-mostViewed\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-3 m-modeDesktop-3 m-modeXL-3 the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2899507\" data-cid=\"9786742\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Tornado, hail and thunderstorms: Germany&#8217;s current weather situation<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2899542-pos3-mostViewed\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-3 m-modeDesktop-3 m-modeXL-3 the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2899542\" data-cid=\"9786730\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    At least 49 die of thirst in Niger desert after truck breaks down<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2898204-pos4-mostViewed\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-3 m-modeDesktop-3 m-modeXL-3 the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2898204\" data-cid=\"9779843\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Von der Leyen warned about China. Europe didn&#8217;t listen. Will it now?<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2899547-pos5-mostViewed\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-3 m-modeDesktop-3 m-modeXL-3 the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2899547\" data-cid=\"9786907\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Giant Nosferatu spiders on Baltic coast: What to do if they bite<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<div class=\"articleBody\" data-key=\"articleBody\">Lebanese President Joseph Aoun accused Iran of using Lebanon as a bargaining chip in its confrontation with the United States and Israel. At the same time, Tehran rejected these allegations through its foreign minister, who said that if Lebanon really were a bargaining chip in Iran&#8217;s hands, an agreement would have been reached a long time ago.In an interview with the US network CNN, Aoun addressed Iran&#8217;s Revolutionary Guard, saying: &#8220;It is not your country, it is our country&#8221;.He added, &#8220;You are not trying to help us. It is the Lebanese who are paying the price for your own interests, and our interests do not coincide with yours.&#8221;Aoun stressed that he is committed to doing whatever it takes to prevent Lebanon from sliding into further escalation, insisting that Lebanese people are fed up with the repeated wars between Israel and Hezbollah, which enjoys Iranian backing and wields considerable influence inside the country.&#8221;We are tired and we want to live in peace,&#8221; he said, adding that the Lebanese deserve to live with dignity, and do not deserve to see their homes destroyed every five or 10 years.The Lebanese president announced that his country is ready for direct negotiations with Israel to secure a ceasefire, saying: &#8220;We are ready, willing and committed to negotiate. There is a major opportunity to end the state of war between [the] Lebanese and Israelis,&#8221; noting that both sides have been tired of war since 1948.Aoun said he had sensed a strong desire for peace among all components of Lebanese society, including the Shia community, as some had told him they were weary of repeated wars. In a firm tone, he added: &#8220;They are Lebanese, not followers of Naim Qassem.&#8221;Even so, the Lebanese president criticised Israel&#8217;s military strategy against Hezbollah, arguing that the party&#8217;s influence can only be ended through the state and after an Israeli withdrawal, and insisting that negotiation is the only solution. &#8216;They can invade the country or destroy it completely, but they will not achieve their objective, because Hezbollah is an idea.&#8217;Before taking office as president, Aoun served as army commander for eight years. He was wounded in battle and still carries shrapnel in his body, and he suffers hearing damage as a result of being close to the front lines. Nevertheless, he underlined his rejection of war and preference for diplomatic avenues, saying: &#8216;I prefer negotiation to war. I do not want my children or the people of Lebanon to live through the same suffering.&#8217;Aoun concluded by saying that he would try to negotiate and persuade Hezbollah to disarm, considering that this is ultimately possible, but at a high cost.The Lebanese presidency&#8217;s position aligns with earlier statements by Prime Minister Nawaf Salam, who in turn urged Tehran to stop using Beirut as a tool of pressure.Araqchi to Aoun: &#8216;Save Lebanon from its real enemy&#8217;Responding to Aoun&#8217;s remarks, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi rejected the Lebanese president&#8217;s accusations about Tehran&#8217;s interference in Beirut&#8217;s affairs.In a post on the X platform, Araqchi wrote: &#8216;Based on Mr Aoun&#8217;s remarks, one might think that Iran is occupying one-fifth of Lebanon, has displaced a quarter of its population and is bombing his country on a daily basis,&#8217; adding: &#8216;If Lebanon were a bargaining chip in Iran&#8217;s hands, we would have reached an agreement a long time ago.&#8217;He concluded: &#8216;Save Lebanon from your real enemy, Mr President.&#8217;Israeli strike kills Lebanese soldiersAt a time when the Lebanese president is signalling openness to negotiations with Tel Aviv to end the war, efforts to de-escalate suffered a setback on the ground, when an Israeli air strike targeted a Lebanese military vehicle on the Khardali\u2013Nabatieh road, killing several soldiers, including two officers.The Israeli army also struck a car in the town of Jarmak in the south of the country.Beirut&#8217;s southern suburbs versus northern IsraelIsrael has spoken of a new equation under which Beirut&#8217;s southern suburbs would be targeted if northern areas come under Hezbollah attack, prompting Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi to warn that hitting the Lebanese capital could spark a new confrontation in the Middle East.Hezbollah rejects any discussion of disarmament before an Israeli withdrawal. Its secretary-general Naim Qassem considers negotiations to be surrender, insisting that this approach is rejected by broad sectors of Lebanese society.Since its establishment in the 1980s, Hezbollah has fought repeated battles with Israel, which led to Israel&#8217;s withdrawal in 2000 from the border strip it had occupied since 1978.Earlier this year, the group fired rockets towards Israel in response to a joint US-Israeli attack on Iran that resulted in the killing of Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei and a number of senior military commanders.Two days ago, Lebanon and Israel reached an agreement to begin implementing a ceasefire, including the creation of pilot zones under the control of the Lebanese army, with a truce conditional on a complete halt to attacks by Hezbollah, as well as the withdrawal of all its fighters from the area south of the Litani River.According to official Lebanese figures, Israeli military operations have killed more than 3,516 people and wounded over 10,670 others, and have displaced more than one million people from their areas since the end of February, the date of the assassination of Iran&#8217;s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, which drew Hezbollah into the confrontation between Tehran, Washington and Tel Aviv.According to the World Health Organization, military operations in Lebanon have killed more than 600 people since 17 April.<\/div>\n<p>[analyse_source url=&#8221;https:\/\/www.euronews.com\/2026\/06\/06\/aoun-tells-iran-this-is-our-country-as-araqchi-warns-of-lebanons-real-enemy&#8221;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>[analyse_image type=&#8221;featured&#8221; src=&#8221;https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/78\/72\/94\/1200x675_cmsv2_b791b859-fd3b-5264-aa11-f11b772fa5db-9787294.jpg&#8221;] No Comment Dua Lipa and Callum Turner celebrate with guests at Sicily wedding party Mexico Iran football squad cleared for US entry but staff still await visas Climate Heat set to stay in Spain, up to 38\u00b0C next week Culture news &#8220;Mehrzweckeier&#8221;: Anti-Merz diss as youth word of the year? No Comment [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[90],"tags":[226,36],"class_list":["post-1975626","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-international","tag-crawlmanager","tag-euronews-com"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1975626","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=1975626"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1975626\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=1975626"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=1975626"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=1975626"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}