Iran's foreign minister says Lebanon not a bargaining chip in war

Published June 6, 2026 Updated June 6, 2026 11:35am

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has rejected remarks by Lebanese President Joseph Aoun that Lebanon was a bargaining chip for Tehran, Reuters reports.

Aoun said earlier that Iran was using Lebanon as a bargaining chip in its negotiations with the United States and that Lebanese people were paying the price for Iran’s interests.

“Had Lebanon been bargaining chip for Iran, we’d have a deal long ago,” Araghchi posted on X. “Save Lebanon from your real foe, Mr President.”

Opinion

Editorial

Trump rebuked
Updated 06 Jun, 2026

Trump rebuked

OBSERVERS across the world have long questioned the utility of Donald Trump’s now three-month-old war on Iran. But...
Hostile water motives
06 Jun, 2026

Hostile water motives

INDIA’S latest move to advance the Chenab-Beas Link Tunnel Project and its plan to flush silt from the Salal Dam...
Polio progress
06 Jun, 2026

Polio progress

PAKISTAN’S latest sub-national polio campaign offers encouraging evidence that the country can still push back...
Environment deficit
Updated 05 Jun, 2026

Environment deficit

Pakistan knows all too well the consequences of environmental neglect.
Rights concerns
05 Jun, 2026

Rights concerns

TWO recent news reports have highlighted foreign concerns about the state of human and labour rights in the country....
Patient care crisis
05 Jun, 2026

Patient care crisis

HEALTHCARE in Pakistan is a footnote. Claims by successive governments to introduce vast reforms with huge schemes...