Beirut – Lebanon – 15 August 2025
Iran’s Top Diplomat Ali Larijani’s Visit Underscores Tehran’s Influence as Lebanese Government Endorses Key U.S. Initiative
In a powerful demonstration of Iran’s enduring influence in the Levant, Ali Larijani, the newly appointed Secretary of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council, has arrived in Beirut for a series of high-level meetings. The visit, his first foreign trip since assuming the critical post, comes just days after the Lebanese government, under immense U.S. pressure, endorsed a landmark plan to disarm Hezbollah, the powerful Iran-backed Shia political party and military group. Larijani’s presence in the Lebanese capital is widely seen by analysts and diplomats as a direct counter-move by Tehran to a U.S. initiative aimed at reshaping the country’s security landscape and curbing Iran’s regional power.
The U.S.-backed plan, formally approved by the Lebanese cabinet, is centered on the full implementation of UN Security Council Resolution 1701, which mandates an end to hostilities between Lebanon and Israel and calls for the disarmament of all non-state armed groups. The plan outlines a comprehensive framework for the Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF) to assert its full authority over the entire country, including the southern border region where Hezbollah maintains a significant military presence. It also offers a pathway for a final resolution of the border disputes with Israel and promises substantial international aid for Lebanon’s ongoing economic crisis and reconstruction efforts.
A Bold Political Gamble by the Lebanese Government
The Lebanese government’s endorsement of the U.S. plan represents a bold and politically risky move. Led by President Joseph Aoun, the government has been under intense pressure from Washington to rein in Hezbollah’s military capabilities, which the U.S. and its allies consider a primary threat to regional stability. For years, the Lebanese state has been unable or unwilling to challenge Hezbollah, which has a powerful political wing and controls vast swaths of territory in the country, particularly in the south and in parts of Beirut. The Lebanese government’s decision to formally commit to disarming Hezbollah by the end of the year is an unprecedented step, signalling a potential shift in the country’s delicate balance of power.
However, the move has been met with fierce opposition from Hezbollah and its political allies. In the days leading up to Larijani’s visit, Hezbollah-affiliated media outlets launched a concerted campaign against the U.S. proposal, describing it as an attempt to “subordinate Lebanon to American and Israeli interests.” They accused the Lebanese government of capitulating to foreign pressure and betraying the “resistance” against Israeli aggression. While Hezbollah has so far avoided a direct military confrontation with the LAF, the political tensions have been mounting, raising fears of renewed internal conflict.
Iran’s Strategic Response
Iran, a key patron of Hezbollah since its formation in the 1980s, views the U.S.-backed disarmament plan as a direct assault on its most valuable regional asset. For Tehran, Hezbollah is not merely a proxy; it is a central pillar of its regional “Axis of Resistance,” a network of allied groups designed to project Iranian power and deter its adversaries, primarily the United States and Israel. Iranian financial aid, military training, and provision of advanced weaponry have transformed Hezbollah into one of the most formidable non-state actors in the world.
Ali Larijani’s arrival in Beirut sends an unmistakable message to both the Lebanese government and Washington: Iran will not stand by and allow its influence to be eroded. As Secretary of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council and a personal representative of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, Larijani is one of the most senior and influential figures in the Iranian political and security establishment. A former Speaker of the Parliament and chief nuclear negotiator, he is known for his pragmatic yet hardline approach. His visit is aimed at shoring up support for Hezbollah and complicating the U.S. plan.
During his meetings with Lebanese officials, including President Aoun and Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri, Larijani is expected to convey Tehran’s displeasure with the disarmament plan and reiterate Iran’s unwavering commitment to Hezbollah. He is also likely to explore ways to circumvent the U.S. initiative, potentially by offering alternative forms of economic and military assistance to Lebanon. Iran’s embassy in Beirut has already announced that the trip is intended to “strengthen bilateral relations” and “discuss regional developments,” diplomatic language that belies the visit’s true purpose.
A Delicate Diplomatic Dance
The situation in Beirut highlights the complex and perilous diplomatic landscape in the Middle East. For the Lebanese government, navigating between the demands of the U.S. and the influence of Iran is a monumental task. While it has endorsed the U.S. plan, it must now convince Hezbollah and its allies that the disarmament can be achieved without triggering a new war. At the same time, Washington is aware that a heavy-handed approach could backfire, destabilizing the fragile Lebanese state and potentially provoking a wider conflict.
Meanwhile, the arrival of Larijani signals a new phase in this geopolitical chess match. It is a reminder that Iran, despite facing severe economic sanctions, remains a formidable force in the region, capable of influencing events on the ground through its network of proxies. The coming weeks will be critical as all parties watch to see whether the Lebanese government can proceed with its plan, or whether Iran’s intervention will succeed in derailing a key U.S. foreign policy objective. The outcome will have far-reaching implications not only for Lebanon but for the entire balance of power in the Middle East.
