Araqchi Rejects ‘Neutral Venue’ for Talks with Lebanon

In the latest exchange over the venue of diplomatic talks, Araqchi responded to Lebanese Foreign Minister Youssef Rajji’s announcement that he would decline to visit Tehran and prefers meeting in a neutral third country.

“While grateful to Youssef Rajji for his kind invitation, his decision not to welcome Iran's reciprocation of his warm hospitality is bemusing. Furthermore, foreign ministers of nations with brotherly and *full* diplomatic relations need no ‘neutral’ venue to meet,” the Iranian foreign minister said in a post on his X account on Thursday night.

“Subjected to Israeli occupation and blatant ‘ceasefire’ violations, I fully understand why my esteemed Lebanese counterpart is not prepared to visit Tehran. Hence I will gladly accept his invitation to come to Beirut. We, too, seek ‘a new chapter’ in bilateral relations based on the precise principles FM Rajji outlines,” Araqchi added.

The Lebanese foreign minister said on Wednesday he had declined an invitation to visit Tehran for now, proposing instead talks with Iran in a mutually agreed neutral third country.

Rajji cited "current conditions" for the decision not to go to Iran, without elaborating, and stressed that the move did not mean rejection of dialogue with Iran.

Rajji said Lebanon stood ready to open a new phase of constructive relations with Iran, on the condition that ties be based strictly on mutual respect, full recognition of each country's independence and sovereignty, and non-interference in internal affairs under any pretext.