Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Saeed Khatibzadeh was in Lebanon yesterday where he had a series of meetings in Beirut, including discussions at the Lebanese Foreign Ministry and and the Prime Minister’s Office and with Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri, which he described as positive and reflective of the close and ongoing consultations between Lebanon and Iran, reported Al Mayadeen. Khatibzadeh emphasized that Tehran had worked during the visit to bring positions closer together and ensure that Lebanon would be included in any final agreement to end the region’s wars.

In an interview with Al Mayadeen following his meetings, “Khatibzadeh said that the Washington track has reached a dead end, arguing that it was opened by the Israeli occupation to undermine the Islamabad process. Khatibzadeh said that Iran is ready to facilitate efforts to end the war in Lebanon, while stressing that the Lebanese government remains responsible for its own decisions. He added that the US must guarantee an end to the war on all fronts, stressing that Washington holds the decisive influence over the Israeli entity.”

Al Mayadeen reported further that on the Strait of Hormuz, Khatibzadeh recalled Tehran’s comprehensive operational proposal to reopen the strategic waterway for a limited period of seven days, pointing to the initiative as part of Iran’s approach to addressing the ongoing crisis. He nevertheless warned that Iran remained prepared to defend itself should further military aggression be imposed upon it, affirming Tehran’s readiness to fight to the last drop of blood.