Lebanon President Accuses Iran of Using Country as Bargaining Chip; Iran Foreign Minister Fires Back, June 6

According to Jin10, on June 6, Lebanese President Joseph Aoun accused Iran on CNN of violating Lebanese people's wishes and using Lebanon as a bargaining chip in its conflict with the U.S. and Israel. Aoun pledged to save his country from conflict "at any cost," stating Lebanese citizens are "exhausted" by the war between Israel and Hezbollah, Iran-backed Shiite militia.

In response, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi denied the claim, stating: "Based on Mr. Aoun's remarks, one would think it is Iran that occupies one-fifth of Lebanon's territory, displaces one-quarter of Lebanese, and bombs Lebanon daily." Araghchi suggested if Lebanon were truly Iran's bargaining chip, "we would have reached a deal already," and called on Aoun to save Lebanon from its "real enemies."