Iran denied an accusation from Lebanese Prime Minister Najib Mikati that it was interfering in Beirut’s internal affairs over remarks attributed to Tehran’s speaker of parliament, AFP reports.

In a rare rebuke of Tehran, Mikati accused it of “blatant interference in Lebanese affairs and an attempt to establish an unacceptable guardianship over Lebanon”.

“Iran has never had any intention or (taken any) action that could be suspected of interfering in the internal affairs of Lebanon,” Iran’s foreign ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei said during a weekly news conference.

“We hold discussions with any country that has an initiative and a proposal to end the crimes and aggression against Lebanon and the genocide in Gaza,” said Baghaei, adding that there had been a “misunderstanding” regarding Ghalibaf’s reported remarks.