Beirut has been warned of possible Israeli offensive against Hezbollah — Lebanese FM

Youssef Rajji says Lebanon seeking to prevent escalation and negotiate terror group’s disarmament; denounces Iran as ‘source of instability’

Lebanon has received warnings from Arab and international parties that Israel is preparing for a wide-scale military operation against Hezbollah, Lebanese Foreign Minister Youssef Rajji told Al Jazeera on Friday, as Beirut intensifies diplomatic efforts to avert further escalation. Rajji also issued a striking denunciation of Hezbollah’s state sponsor, Iran, accusing it of destabilizing Lebanon.

Rajji said the Lebanese government is engaged in intensive talks through diplomatic channels aimed at preventing such an operation and ensuring that state personnel and facilities are not targeted. At the same time, he said Beirut continues efforts to negotiate with Hezbollah, seeking to persuade the Iranian-backed terror organization to give up its weapons voluntarily.

According to Rajji, Hezbollah’s arms have failed in their stated purpose, proving ineffective “in supporting Gaza and defending the country” over the past two years, even as the group refuses to disarm.

Rajji’s remarks also highlighted Lebanon’s broader confrontation with Iran’s influence in the country and across the region. Speaking to Al Jazeera, the foreign minister described Tehran’s role in Lebanon and the Middle East as “very negative,” calling Iranian policy “a source of instability.”

He said Lebanon’s pro-Western government remains open to dialogue with Iran, if it stops funding “an illegal organization” in Lebanon, a euphemism for Hezbollah, and stops interfering in the country’s internal affairs.

The comments come after Iran’s foreign minister, Abbas Araghchi announced Thursday that he would travel to Beirut for talks after Rajji declined to visit Tehran, saying his Iranian counterpart welcome in Beirut or that they could meet in a “neutral” country.

Turning to recent direct talks with Israel, Rajji stressed that Lebanon is not engaged in “traditional negotiations” but is trying to return to an armistice with Israel.

Demands for Hezbollah’s disarmament have mounted since the onset of a ceasefire between Israel and the terror group just over a year ago.

Under the terms of the ceasefire, which ended the October 2023-November 2024 conflict between Israel and a badly weakened Hezbollah, the terror group was to be disarmed and allow the Lebanese Armed Forces to deploy fully across the country as the Israel Defense Forces withdrew. That disarmament has not yet happened, however, despite Lebanon having drawn up a plan to do so.

Israel has retained troops in the country, and regularly conducts strikes that it says are against Hezbollah attempts to rebuild its strength.

Agencies contributed to this report.