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.”