FM: Iran to keep supporting Lebanese resistance in face of Zionist regime

“We have defended the Lebanese resistance in the face of the threats [that have been] posed to Lebanon’s sovereignty, security, independence, and territorial integrity as well as in the face of the Zionist regime, and our support for the Lebanese resistance in the face of the Zionist regime’s potential threats is going to continue,” he said.

The senior diplomat was speaking to Lebanon’s al-Manar television network from the Lebanese capital Beirut, where he was staying on the second leg of a tour that initially took him to Russia, the network reported on Saturday.

“Despite the existing economic pressures and the United States’ oppressive sanctions, Iran is [still] a great country and [one that] is prepared to assist Lebanon,” Amir-Abdollahian added.

The foreign minister went on to detail a meeting he had had during his stay with Secretary-General of the Lebanese resistance movement of Hezbollah, Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah.

Amir-Abdollahian hailed the meeting as a fruitful one, calling Nasrallah “Lebanon’s greatest national personality,” and noting that “the Islamic Republic draws benefit from Sayyed Nasrallah’s opinions about the regional issues.”

According to the Iranian official, Nasrallah had voiced gratitude towards Iran over the many fuel shipments that the Islamic Republic has delivered to Lebanon amid the latter’s economic crisis and despite the American sanctions facing both the countries.

Nasrallah had acknowledged during the meeting that Iran came to Lebanon’s resistance at a time when itself was facing touch circumstances, the minister said.

Amir-Abdollahian’s plane touched down at the Beirut International Airport on Thursday.

During his stay, he also sat down with Lebanese President Michel Aoun, Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri, and Prime Minister Najib Mikati as well as his own Lebanese counterpart Abdallah Bou Habib.