Lebanon24 September, 20262 min read
Nawaf Salam Says Lebanon Wants State-To-State Relationship With Iran
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Lebanon asks Iran to nominate a new ambassador and open a state-to-state chapter. Salam and Iranian President Pezeshkian held talks on Lebanon's sovereignty, stability, and deeper ties.
Salam seeks state-to-state
Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam told Asharq Bloomberg that the United States Secretary of State Marco Rubio “is aligned with us on the necessity of having a verification process for the trilateral agreement.” Salam said Lebanon wants “a state-to-state relationship with Iran based on mutual respect,” adding that “this is what we asked of the Iranians” during his meeting with the Iranian delegation in New York. Salam said he and Hezbollah agreed on placing all weapons under the exclusive authority of the state, with Hezbollah agreeing by being part of the government.
Salam said Parliament granted confidence on that basis, as he framed the approach around Lebanon’s sovereignty and the state’s monopoly on arms. Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian met Salam on the sidelines of the 81st United Nations General Assembly in New York and stressed friendly relations and constructive cooperation between the two countries.
Beirut asks for ambassador
Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam asked Iran to nominate a new ambassador to Beirut and called for opening a new “state-to-state” chapter in bilateral relations, according to a statement from the Lebanese premier’s media office. Salam said Lebanon had “paid a heavy price” in terms of its security, stability and economy and did not want to become an arena for regional conflicts or the exchange of political messages. Salam said Lebanon seeks to “open a new page in relations with Iran and build a sound state-to-state relationship based on respect for each country’s sovereignty and independence, non-interference in each other’s affairs and shared interests.”
Lebanon’s Foreign Ministry had declared Iranian Ambassador Mohammad Reza Sheibani persona non grata in March, after it said the decision was prompted by “Iran’s violation of diplomatic norms and established procedures between the two countries,” without providing further details. The Anadolu Ajansı report said Sheibani did not comply with the Lebanese decision, with backing from Iran’s supporters in Lebanon, particularly Hezbollah.
Sovereignty, attacks, and stakes
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian warned that disregard for international law could further undermine regional and global security and stability, while he reaffirmed Iran’s support for expanding relations with all regional countries while respecting national sovereignty and territorial integrity.
“Pezeshkian reaffirmed Iran’s support for expanding relations with all regional countries while respecting their national sovereignty and territorial integrity.”
Pezeshkian said Tehran remains committed to the principle of non-interference in the internal affairs of countries and opposes coercion and pressure against independent states.
Salam outlined his government’s priorities, including ending the Israeli occupation, securing an Israeli withdrawal from Lebanese territory, halting attacks and aggression, and strengthening the authority and sovereignty of the Lebanese state.
Anadolu Ajansı said Israel has continued attacks on Lebanon despite the signing of a US-sponsored Framework Agreement on June 26 providing for a gradual Israeli withdrawal in exchange for deployment of the Lebanese army and the disarmament of Hezbollah.
Anadolu Ajansı reported that Lebanon’s Health Ministry figures released on Sept. 17 put the toll at 4,386 people killed and more than 12,000 injured, including hundreds of women and children, since the latest war began on March 2, 2025.