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3. Israeli Foreign Minister Calls for “Severing Iran’s Influence” Over Lebanon Ahead of Talks

Israel’s Foreign Minister said on Monday that Iran must be cut off from Lebanon, arguing that Tehran exerts effective control over the country through Hezbollah, ahead of anticipated diplomatic discussions between Israel and Lebanon set to begin in the coming days.

In a statement, the Israeli minister said the upcoming talks “are expected to begin tomorrow” and stressed the need to address what he described as Iran’s regional influence.

“I said it is important to sever the link between Iran and Lebanon. Iran effectively controls Lebanon through Hezbollah,” the minister stated. “In doing so, Iran has once again dragged Lebanon into war against its will.”

He added that Hezbollah’s military activity serves Iranian interests rather than Lebanese ones, referring to previous escalations involving Israel and the militant group.

The minister further warned against any arrangement that would grant Iran leverage over ceasefire decisions in Lebanon, calling such a development “a serious mistake that would only strengthen Iran’s grip on Lebanon.” He said Israel “opposes this” and would continue its security operations against Hezbollah.

According to the minister, Israeli military operations in Lebanon are intended to weaken Hezbollah and, by extension, Iran’s influence in the country.

He also referenced the discovery of weapons in a hospital in the southern town of Bint Jbeil, which he said demonstrates Hezbollah’s “criminal use of civilian infrastructure.”

Referring to recent Israeli strikes, he said that “more than 200 Hezbollah militants were eliminated” in an operation targeting Hezbollah command structures, while stressing that Israel had sought to minimize civilian casualties.

The minister also highlighted the impact of cross-border fire on northern Israel, saying that Israeli civilians have suffered “more than 7,000 missiles, rockets, and UAVs launched from Lebanese territory,” adding that this humanitarian toll has received limited international attention.

He concluded that Israel’s interests are aligned with those of Lebanon, stating that both countries share a goal of “dismantling Hezbollah’s terrorist state that has taken over Lebanon.”