Iranian FM: 'Had Lebanon been bargaining chip for Iran, we'd have deal long ago'

June 06, 2026Share to FacebookShare to XArticle printing is available to subscribers onlyPrint in a simple, ad-free formatSubscribeComments: Zen reading is available to subscribers onlyAd-free and in a comfortable reading formatSubscribeJune 06, 2026Iranian FM: 'Had Lebanon been bargaining chip for Iran, we'd have a deal long ago'In response to comments from Lebanese President Joseph Aoun that Lebanon is "not your country," Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi shared on X, "Had Lebanon been bargaining chip for Iran, we'd have a deal long ago."Aoun had accused Tehran of using Beirut as a bargaining chip with Washington in an interview on CNN.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 bombing his country on daily basis.

Had Lebanon been bargaining chip for Iran, we'd have a deal long ago.

Save Lebanon from your real foe, Mr. President.Show moreIn an exclusive interview with CNN, Lebanese President Joseph Aoun tells CNN's Christiane Amanpour his message to the IRGC and Iran. cnn.it/43M4QHsIran says it struck two U.S. bases, warns that next time 'response won't be limited'This satellite image from Planet Labs PBC shows damage after an Iranian attack on the U.S. Navy's 5th Fleet headquarters in Manama, Bahrain, in March. Credit: Planet Labs PBC/APThis satellite image from Planet Labs PBC shows damage after an Iranian attack on the U.S. Navy's 5th Fleet headquarters in Manama, Bahrain, in March. Credit: Planet Labs PBC/APIran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps said it struck a U.S. airbase in Kuwait and the U.S. Fifth Fleet headquarters in Bahrain with air-launched missiles, Fars News reported.According to the Iranian agency, the IRGC added that the launches were in response to U.S. strikes on Iran's southern coast, warning that "if these acts are repeated, the response will not remain limited."The IRGC said if Washington strikes Iran again, it will "bear responsibility for the consequences of a complete closure of the Strait of Hormuz to oil and gas exports."2 hours agoU.S. says it downed six of seven Iranian missiles, denies reports of strike on U.S. baseThe U.S. Central Command said it intercepted "multiple Iranian ballistic missiles and drones" fired toward the Strait of Hormuz and Gulf countries.CENTCOM said Iran fired seven ballistic missiles toward Bahrain and Kuwait, adding that "initial assessments indicate six of the missiles launched by Iran were intercepted and a seventh did not reach its intended target."The command said there were "no reports of harm to U.S. personnel," denying Iranian claims of damage to the U.S. 5th fleet headquarters in Bahrain as "false."6 hours agoU.S. strikes Iran radar sites after Tehran launches drones at HormuzThe U.S. Central Command said it struck radar sites in Iran's coastal city of Geruk and on Qeshm Island following Iranian drone launches."Moments ago, CENTCOM forces shot down four Iranian one-way attack drones that were launched toward the Strait of Hormuz," the command said, adding that the attack "posed an immediate threat to regional maritime traffic."The U.S. "subsequently struck Iranian coastal surveillance radar sites ... to defend against further attacks."Iran launches drones toward Strait of Hormuz, CNN reportsIran has launched ⁠multiple drones towards ⁠the Strait of Hormuz, CNN reported on Friday, citing a U.S. official who also ⁠said at least four ⁠drones were shot down by ⁠U.S. aircraft.Iran's Mehr News Agency said warning shots were fired near the Strait of Hormuz, likely linked to the movement of U.S. vessels in the area.6 hours agoTrump says Iran deal 'takes a little while,' war moving 'very fast,' unlike VietnamU.S. President Donald Trump attends an event at Custer Farms in Chippewa Falls, Wisconsin, U.S., Friday. Credit: Nathan Howard/ReutersU.S. President Donald Trump attends an event at Custer Farms in Chippewa Falls, Wisconsin, U.S., Friday. Credit: Nathan Howard/ReutersU.S. President Donald Trump said he hasn't reached a deal with Iran because they are "strong" and "proud," adding that Tehran has been "virtually decapitated.""It's a very hard thing for them," Trump said, speaking to NBC's Meet the Press. "I think they can't believe they're in the situation where they've been virtually decapitated."Trump added that "there are things they never thought they'd be doing that they're gonna have to do." According to him, "It takes a little while" to reach a deal. "I'm moving very fast – I'm into three months," he said. "You know, Vietnam lasted 19 years – I'm into my third month."IDF fatally shoots baby, wounds parents in West Bank, medics sayA bullet hole in the front window of a car of Palestinian father Fahed Abu Haykal after his seven-month-old baby was killed by Israeli forces, in Hebron in the Israeli-occupied West Bank, Friday. Credit: Mussa Qawasma/ReutersA bullet hole in the front window of a car of Palestinian father Fahed Abu Haykal after his seven-month-old baby was killed by Israeli forces, in Hebron in the Israeli-occupied West Bank, Friday. Credit: Mussa Qawasma/ReutersThe Israeli military fatally shot an infant and moderately wounded his parents in the southern West Bank, the Palestinian Health Ministry reported.According to medics, IDF soldiers fired at the family's vehicle near Tel Rumeida, south of the Palestinian city of Hebron.Seven-month-old Sam Fahed Abu Haykal was evacuated in critical condition to a local hospital, where he was later pronounced dead, the ministry said.Read the full articleIn the NewsU.S. Strikes Iran Radar Sites After Tehran Launches Drones at U.S. VesselsForget Bibi and October 7: This Year's Election Should Be About the HaredimIranian FM: 'Had Lebanon Been Bargaining Chip for Iran, We'd Have Deal Long Ago'Ireland Bars Entry of Smotrich and Ben-Gvir Into the CountryIDF Fatally Shoots Baby, Wounds Parents in West Bank, Medics SayRemembering and rebuilding two years laterICYMIFar-right Israeli Ministers Join Thousands at Israel Day Parade in New YorkIsrael's Solution to the Gaza Problem Is Well Underway'Israel Is Unstoppable, We Need Other Countries to Get Us Out of This''Fucking Crazy': Trump Lashes Out at Netanyahu Over Lebanon, Report SaysThe Paradigm That Led to Oct. 7 Didn't Collapse, It Was Fiction From the StartThey Fled Putin's Russia for Israel – and Could Swing the Election