Joseph Aoun, the President of Lebanon, has accused Iran of using Lebanon as a bargaining tool in its negotiations with the United States, in remarks described as among his strongest criticisms yet of Tehran and Hezbollah.
Speaking in an interview with CNN, excerpts of which were published on Friday, Aoun said that the Lebanese people have paid a heavy price for what he described as Iran’s interests and are tired of the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hezbollah.
Aoun also stated that using Lebanon as a bargaining tool in negotiations between Iran and the United States is unacceptable to the Lebanese people.
His comments come as tensions between Israel and Hezbollah continue, while political and sectarian divisions within Lebanon over Hezbollah’s role and the country's relationship with Iran remain a contentious domestic issue.
