TEHRAN -- Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi told Lebanese President Joseph Aoun in a phone call on Wednesday that halting Israeli attacks and ending the occupation of southern Lebanon is Tehran’s primary priority.
Araghchi briefed Aoun on Iran’s diplomatic efforts in recent weeks and days. Aoun stressed the necessity of diplomatic solutions to regional crises, and both sides agreed on expanding bilateral relations and continuing contacts between officials of the two countries.
Lebanon declared Iran’s ambassador-designate, Mohammad Reza Sheibani, persona non grata in March, demanding his departure over alleged interference in internal affairs. 
Lebanese Foreign Minister Youssef Rajji has since declared Hezbollah’s disarmament a non-negotiable priority and accusing the resistance group of dragging Lebanon into war.
Iranian officials have rejected those characterizations as submissive posturing toward Washington and Tel Aviv. Tehran views the Lebanese government’s willingness to discuss Hezbollah’s disarmament under U.S. pressure as capitulation that undermines the resistance and serves Israeli security objectives.
Also on Wednesday, Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Saeed Khatibzadeh arrived in Beirut, where he was welcomed by representatives of Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri and Hezbollah. His visit aims to strengthen bilateral ties amid the escalating diplomatic tensions.