According to Khabaronline, Ahmad Dastmalchian, Iran’s former ambassador to Lebanon, wrote in Ham-Mihan newspaper: From the perspective of the Islamic Republic of Iran, independent states must decide their own affairs, and this responsibility lies with national governments. Regarding Lebanon specifically, as repeatedly stated by responsible Iranian officials, any joint decision reached by the Lebanese government in consultation with the Resistance will be accepted and supported by the Islamic Republic of Iran.
Although Iran views decision-making in Lebanon as an internal matter of that country, this does not mean that Iran has no views on Lebanese affairs. Tehran believes that the Resistance’s arms constitute a national deterrent force necessary to preserve Lebanon’s sovereignty and ensure its comprehensive deterrence. Thus far, the reality on the ground in Lebanon has demonstrated that the Resistance’s weapons have safeguarded the country’s territorial integrity against enemy aggression and hostility.
In principle, the Resistance in Lebanon is recognized as a national symbol of deterrence. Recent surveys conducted among various Lebanese communities indicate that a majority of Lebanese citizens support preserving the Resistance’s weapons. Moreover, the Lebanese Army and the Resistance have consistently complemented one another in maintaining the country’s stability and security, and have never been in conflict. Iran respects these two fundamentals and supports them.
Given the region’s current sensitive circumstances, two essential steps must be taken in the realm of public communication and official positioning. Relevant national security and foreign policy authorities, particularly the Secretariat of the Supreme National Security Council, must place these steps on their agenda.
The first step is media discipline.
Greater effort is required to ensure that when addressing major national security and foreign policy issues, media outlets adopt more disciplined and nationally aligned approaches to commentary and reporting, without infringing on freedom of expression. The second step is that only authorized and qualified officials should comment on foreign policy matters.
This responsibility, in my view, lies with the Minister of Foreign Affairs and the Secretary of the Supreme National Security Council, who should articulate Iran’s stance on significant foreign policy issues. At times, scholars or commentators may express views regarding foreign policy or the country’s strategic approach, which falls within the scope of media norms and freedom of expression. However, statements occasionally arise from various government bodies or individuals affiliated with state institutions that, given the high sensitivity of foreign policy issues, should not be made by those lacking official responsibility in this domain.
Every country maintains the norm that only responsible and relevant officials express positions on fundamental and sensitive foreign policy issues. Other officials are not permitted to comment on such matters on behalf of the political system. Statements from unauthorized individuals lacking a formal foreign policy mandate can generate serious consequences for the country.
Relations between states must unquestionably be managed through a unified, precise, and well-calibrated system, the responsibility for which lies with the diplomatic apparatus. The diplomatic corps is responsible for structuring foreign relations and issuing statements and positions on international matters. Any commentary outside this framework risks disrupting relations with foreign states, and this issue is not limited to Lebanon.
Given my understanding of Iran–Lebanon relations, I believe that commentary on bilateral relations must be fully calculated and precise, and aligned with the official policies of the state. If any official or individual affiliated with a governing institution intends to comment on foreign relations, such statements must conform to the formal policies of the Islamic Republic so as not to undermine the country’s plans and strategies.