Iran Hits Back at Lebanese President Over ‘Bargaining Chip’ Remark, Says “He Sells One Standing Next to Him”

June 6, 2026

Tehran: The Iranian Foreign Ministry has sharply hit back at Lebanese President Joseph Aoun, utilising a social media post written in Arabic with a distinct Lebanese dialect to accuse him of political betrayal following comments made by the leader regarding Tehran’s regional influence.

The diplomatic spat erupted after President Aoun alleged that Iran exploits Lebanon as a leverage point in its geopolitical dealings with Washington.

Reacting swiftly on X, Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei delivered a pointed rebuke aimed at the Lebanese head of state.

“He sells the one standing next to him and buys the one standing against him. He leaves the one who supported him and follows the one who choked him,” Baghaei stated in his post.

Iran-Lebanon War of Words Escalates on Social Media

The escalating war of words follows earlier assertions by President Aoun, who had commented on the state of complex diplomatic talks, noting that while negotiations remained arduous, a significant breakthrough had nevertheless been secured.

During those remarks, the Lebanese President had explicitly targeted Tehran’s foreign policy objectives, accusing Iran of utilising Lebanon as a “bargaining chip” in its ongoing diplomatic manoeuvres with the United States.

Expanding the Iranian offensive, Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi also fiercely rejected the allegations, deploying a highly sarcastic tone to suggest that Beirut was misidentifying its actual adversary.

“Based on Mr Aoun’s comments, one would think it’s Iran that has occupied 1/5 of Lebanon, displaced 1/4 of Lebanese and is bombing his country on a daily basis,” Araghchi wrote on X.

He challenged the Lebanese leadership to pivot its focus towards its southern neighbour, adding, “Save Lebanon from the real foe, Mr President.”

Rising Tensions Amid Regional Conflict

The exchange comes against the backdrop of heightened regional tensions involving Hezbollah and ongoing hostilities in the Middle East, further straining Iran-Lebanon relations.