Lebanese president accuses Iran of using Lebanon as bargaining chip in US talks

Lebanese President Joseph Aoun has publicly accused Iran and its ally Hezbollah of using Lebanon as a bargaining chip in negotiations with the United States. In a CNN interview, Aoun stated, "It's not your country, it's our country," directly addressing Iran and the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC). He claimed that Tehran is leveraging Lebanon's stability to gain advantages in broader talks with Washington, while Hezbollah's rejection of a truce has stalled progress in US-Iran negotiations.

Aoun's remarks mark a rare public rift between Lebanon's government and Iran-backed Hezbollah, which holds significant political and military power in the country. The accusations come amid ongoing fighting in Lebanon and doubts about a wider peace deal. Iran has declared support for Hezbollah, further complicating efforts to resolve the conflict.