Tehran: We Will Not Allow the Resistance in Lebanon to Be Isolated; Firm Diplomacy Guides the Negotiation Process
Ali Akbar Velayati, advisor to the Supreme Leader of the Islamic Revolution in Iran, affirmed that the Islamic Republic stands by its allies and will not permit any attempts to isolate the resistance in Lebanon. He emphasized that firm diplomacy has become a fundamental pillar in safeguarding regional stability and managing existing challenges.
In a press statement, Velayati explained that Lebanon’s stability is linked to the complementary roles of the state and the resistance. He warned that ignoring the pivotal role of the Islamic resistance in confronting Zionist threats could open the door to grave security risks, given the continued attacks and escalation.
In the same vein, former Iranian diplomat Seyyed Hadi Afkhami asserted that any negotiations between Tehran and Washington will be doomed to failure unless the Zionist aggression against Lebanon ceases. He considered this issue a top priority for the Iranian negotiator, and stated that the negotiation process extends beyond the nuclear file to encompass the entire regional balance of power.
Afkhami stressed that Iran is approaching the negotiations with a comprehensive vision, linking political, security, and economic issues. He emphasized that Tehran will not accept any arrangements targeting its allies, particularly the resistance forces in Lebanon.
Regarding the American position, he indicated that the administration of US President Donald Trump is seeking tangible results in this process. He noted that the dispatch of Vice President J.D. Vance reflects Washington’s seriousness in pushing for an agreement, despite lingering doubts related to its past record.
In parallel, media reports, citing a high-ranking Iranian source, revealed that the United States has agreed to release frozen Iranian assets. This move is considered a practical test of good faith and an indication of Washington’s willingness to move toward a permanent agreement, moving away from a policy of unfulfilled promises.
The data also showed that Washington is placing particular importance on ensuring the security of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz. This reflects its awareness of the strategic influence Tehran wields in this vital waterway and its desire to link this issue to any future understandings.
These positions collectively reflect a clear Iranian approach to managing negotiations from a position of strength, by combining firm diplomacy, adherence to principles, and maintaining strategic leverage, in order to ensure the achievement of national interests and not to compromise the rights of allies in the region.