Latest news with #MojtabaAmani
Nahar Net
25-04-2025
- Politics
- Nahar Net
Iranian embassy says Amani provided 'clarifications' to Lebanese officials
Iranian embassy says Amani provided 'clarifications' to Lebanese officials Iranian Ambassador to Lebanon Mojtaba Amani provided "clarifications" to Lebanese officials regarding his latest remarks on "disarmament," Iran's embassy said, after he was summoned by the Lebanese Foreign Ministry over perceived interference in Lebanese affairs. Amani noted that his statements on X were "general... and applied to all countries without exception, including Iran," the embassy added. The visit to the ministry sought to avoid any possible "misunderstanding between the two countries" over the post's content, the embassy said. In a post on social network X last week, Amani said the "disarmament plan is a clear conspiracy against states," without saying which or naming Hezbollah. President Joseph Aoun has pledged to implement a state monopoly on arms. But it is a "delicate" matter that must be approached through dialogue and carried out when "the circumstances" allow, he said on Sunday. The United States has been pressing Lebanon's government to disarm Hezbollah. Lebanon's Foreign Ministry said Amani was informed of the need to adhere to principles of "state sovereignty and non-interference in their domestic affairs," a statement said, pointing to the Vienna Convention. Hezbollah, long a dominant force in Lebanon, was severely weakened in the latest war with its arch-foe Israel. The war included an Israeli ground incursion and two months of heavy bombardment that decimated the group's leadership. A November truce accord was based on a U.N. Security Council resolution that says Lebanese troops and United Nations peacekeepers should be the only forces in south Lebanon. It calls for the disarmament of all non-state groups. On Friday, Hezbollah chief Sheikh Naim Qassem said the group "will not let anyone disarm" it, adding it was ready for dialogue on a "defense strategy," "but not under the pressure of occupation" by Israel. In subsequent comments on Wednesday to Lebanese television channel Al-Jadeed, Amani said disarming Hezbollah was "a Lebanese domestic matter" and Iran would "not interfere" in it. "We will comply with what the Lebanese institutions decide," he said, adding that "in Lebanon there is occupation, there are attacks, there is the Israeli danger, there is a group... that wants to defend itself," he added, referring to Hezbollah. Under the truce, Hezbollah was to pull its fighters north of Lebanon's Litani River and dismantle any remaining military infrastructure in the south. Israel was to withdraw all its forces from south Lebanon, but troops remain in five positions that it deems "strategic".
The National
25-04-2025
- Politics
- The National
Lebanon summons Iranian ambassador over Hezbollah disarmament comments
Lebanon's Foreign Ministry summoned the Iranian ambassador after he described plans to disarm Tehran-backed militant group Hezbollah as 'a clear conspiracy'. Ambassador Mojtaba Amani was told not to interfere in Lebanon 's internal affairs at the meeting on Thursday, as Beirut seeks to bring all weapons in the country under state control. Ministry Secretary General Hani Chmeitli met Mr Amani and emphasised 'the necessity of adhering to the diplomatic principles outlined in international agreements concerning the sovereignty of states and non-interference in their internal affairs, foremost among them the Vienna Convention', Lebanon 's National News Agency reported. This incident marks a rare public rebuke of Iran by Lebanese officials, highlighting the shifting dynamics within Lebanese politics. The election of President Joseph Aoun and appointment of Prime Minister Nawaf Salam in January ended more than two years of political impasse, raising hopes that the country can finally tackle its financial and political crises. A new government was formed in February. Previously, Tehran had held sway over Lebanese affairs for years. Lebanon's government is facing mounting international pressure to disarm Hezbollah and place all weapons under state authority. The group, once a dominant force in Lebanese politics and security, has been weakened by its war with Israel. This month, Mr Aoun said 'the decision has been taken' to grant the state exclusive control over weapons in the country − a goal he said would be pursued through dialogue, not force. On April 19, Mr Amani posted on X that 'the disarmament project is a clear conspiracy'. 'We in the Islamic Republic of Iran are aware of the danger of this conspiracy … we warn others not to fall into the trap of enemies,' wrote the Iranian ambassador. In an interview with local broadcaster Al Jadeed on Wednesday, Mr Amani acknowledged that he was being summoned by the Foreign Ministry over the post. He said he missed the initial appointment, prompting a second summons on Thursday. Earlier this month, following a visit to Lebanon, US deputy special envoy for the Middle East Morgan Ortagus said that Hezbollah and other armed groups should be disarmed 'as soon as possible', and that Lebanese troops were expected to do the job. Updated: April 25, 2025, 10:40 AM
Nahar Net
25-04-2025
- Politics
- Nahar Net
Iranian embassy says Amani provided 'clarifications' to Lebanese officials
by Naharnet Newsdesk 25 April 2025, 11:27 Iranian Ambassador to Lebanon Mojtaba Amani provided "clarifications" to Lebanese officials regarding his latest remarks on "disarmament," Iran's embassy said, after he was summoned by the Lebanese Foreign Ministry over perceived interference in Lebanese affairs. Amani noted that his statements on X were "general... and applied to all countries without exception, including Iran," the embassy added. The visit to the ministry sought to avoid any possible "misunderstanding between the two countries" over the post's content, the embassy said. In a post on social network X last week, Amani said the "disarmament plan is a clear conspiracy against states," without saying which or naming Hezbollah. President Joseph Aoun has pledged to implement a state monopoly on arms. But it is a "delicate" matter that must be approached through dialogue and carried out when "the circumstances" allow, he said on Sunday. The United States has been pressing Lebanon's government to disarm Hezbollah. Lebanon's Foreign Ministry said Amani was informed of the need to adhere to principles of "state sovereignty and non-interference in their domestic affairs," a statement said, pointing to the Vienna Convention. Hezbollah, long a dominant force in Lebanon, was severely weakened in the latest war with its arch-foe Israel. The war included an Israeli ground incursion and two months of heavy bombardment that decimated the group's leadership. A November truce accord was based on a U.N. Security Council resolution that says Lebanese troops and United Nations peacekeepers should be the only forces in south Lebanon. It calls for the disarmament of all non-state groups. On Friday, Hezbollah chief Sheikh Naim Qassem said the group "will not let anyone disarm" it, adding it was ready for dialogue on a "defense strategy," "but not under the pressure of occupation" by Israel. In subsequent comments on Wednesday to Lebanese television channel Al-Jadeed, Amani said disarming Hezbollah was "a Lebanese domestic matter" and Iran would "not interfere" in it. "We will comply with what the Lebanese institutions decide," he said, adding that "in Lebanon there is occupation, there are attacks, there is the Israeli danger, there is a group... that wants to defend itself," he added, referring to Hezbollah. Under the truce, Hezbollah was to pull its fighters north of Lebanon's Litani River and dismantle any remaining military infrastructure in the south. Israel was to withdraw all its forces from south Lebanon, but troops remain in five positions that it deems "strategic".
Memri
25-04-2025
- Politics
- Memri
Iranian Ambassador to Lebanon Mojtaba Amani, Who Was Injured in the Pager Attack: Without Iran, Israel Would Occupy All the Countries between the Nile and the Euphrates; Hizbullah and Hamas Have Not B
Iranian Ambassador to Lebanon Mojtaba Amani, who was injured in the September 2024 'pager attack' targeting Hizbullah operatives, discussed Iran's support for Hizbullah and Hamas during an April 23, 2025 interview on Al-Jadeed TV (Lebanon). Amani asserted that without the Iranian Islamic Revolution, Lebanon would have been entirely occupied by Israel. He claimed that if Israel is not met with resistance, it will expand and occupy all the territory between the Nile and the Euphrates. Amani said that Iran provides support for Lebanon because of the ongoing Israeli threat. When asked whether Iran would intervene if Hizbullah chose to disarm, he replied that if Hizbullah requested help, Iran would provide official government support. He emphasized that Hizbullah's right to bear arms is grounded in Lebanon's own national doctrine of 'Army–People–Resistance.' Amani also insisted that neither Hamas nor Hizbullah had been defeated. He dismissed the relevance of casualty numbers, rhetorically asking: 'The Zionist Jews say six million Jews were killed in [Nazi] prisons […] does that mean Hitler won the war?'
Nahar Net
24-04-2025
- Politics
- Nahar Net
Foreign Ministry asks Iran ambassador not to interfere in Lebanese affairs
by Naharnet Newsdesk 6 hours Iranian Ambassador to Lebanon Mojtaba Amani visited the Lebanese Foreign Ministry on Thursday after it summoned him over his latest remarks on disarmament. Amani met with the ministry's Secretary-General Ambassador Hani Chemaitelly, who informed him of 'the need to abide by the diplomatic norms specified in the international treaties related to the sovereignty of nations and non-interference in their domestic affairs, topped by the Vienna Convention,' a statement said. The ambassador had announced Wednesday that Tehran would 'abide by what the Lebanese agree on' regarding the issue of Hezbollah's arms. He had warned Friday that 'the disarmament project is a clear conspiracy against nations.' 'While the United States continues to supply the Zionist entity (Israel) with the latest weapons and missiles, it prevents countries from arming and strengthening their armies, and pressures other countries to reduce or destroy their arsenals under various pretexts,' Amani wrote on the X platform. 'Once these countries surrender to demands for disarmament, they become vulnerable to attack and occupation, as happened in Iraq, Libya and Syria,' Amani cautioned. Although he did not mention Lebanon or Hezbollah by name, his remarks were widely viewed in Lebanon as being related to the debate over Hezbollah's disarmament.
