People check destroyed apartments that where hit by an Israeli airstrike in Dahiyeh, Beirut's southern suburb, Lebanon, Sunday, June 7, 2026.  (Photo | AP)
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Hezbollah urges Lebanon authorities to mend ties with Iran

Last week, Lebanon's president and prime minister issued pointed calls for Tehran to stop interfering in their country's affairs, after Hezbollah rejected a conditional ceasefire with Israel.

AFP

BEIRUT: Hezbollah on Tuesday urged Lebanese authorities to mend their relationship with the group's backer Iran and benefit from Tehran's support, days after Iran struck Israel in response to bombardment on south Beirut.

Last week, Lebanon's president and prime minister issued pointed calls for Tehran to stop interfering in their country's affairs, after Hezbollah rejected a conditional ceasefire with Israel.

"We call on the Lebanese authorities to seize the opportunity available and correct their official relationship with the Islamic republic in a way that serves the interest of both states," a Hezbollah statement said.

Hezbollah drew Lebanon into the Middle East war on March 2 with rocket fire at Israel to avenge the killing of Iran's supreme leader in US-Israeli strikes.

Iran insists a halt to the wider Middle East conflict must include a ceasefire in Lebanon.

Iran launched missiles at Israel on Sunday in response to Israel bombing Beirut's southern suburbs, a Hezbollah stronghold.

Iran warned it would resume attacks on Israel if the latter kept striking Lebanon.

Iran and Israel, which fired back, on Monday halted the fresh hostilities.

Hezbollah said Iran's attack on Israel "in defence of our Lebanese people is a message of the Islamic republic's commitment, morally, politically and on the ground, towards Lebanon".

It urged Lebanese authorities to "use this Iranian support to achieve our national objectives, particularly in light of the formation of a new regional umbrella that has emerged from the Islamabad negotiations".

Hezbollah rejects recent direct talks between the Israeli and Lebanese authorities, mediated by Washington.

Pakistan has been mediating between the United States and Iran to end the regional conflict.

On Tuesday, the heads of the Pakistani and Lebanese armed forces agreed to boost cooperation as they met in Pakistan.

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