By Nohad Topalian | 2026-05-06

The Iranian regime, through Supreme Leader’s advisor, Ali Akbar Velayati, openly threatened Lebanon Prime Minister Nawaf Salam over the direct ceasefire negotiations with Israel.

This calculated move aims to force the Lebanese government to fully submit to the mandates of the regime and its proxy, Hizbullah.

Velayati warned Salam on April 11 against "neglecting the heroic Hizbullah's unique role", saying national stability requires "government synergy with the Resistance."

Commentator Ziad Itani confirmed the threat signifies "Islamic Revolutionary Guard Crops (IRGC) control of Hizbullah following Secretary-General Hassan Nasrallah's death, and a push to obstruct Lebanon's independent negotiation efforts."

The IRGC views President Aoun's efforts to establish national sovereignty and conduct direct talks as a severe threat to their influential "Axis of Resistance".

"Iran is undermining negotiations because the regime perceives absolutely no benefit from Lebanon reaching any permanent peace agreement," Itani told Al-Fasel.

IRGC commander Ahmad Vahidi actively directs operations to sabotage the negotiations, using the Lebanon file to marginalize all moderate Iranian politicians.

The Iranian regime's priority is maintaining regional instability as a crucial bargaining chip, sacrificing peace for the suffering Lebanese population.

These aggressive actions highlight profound leadership confusion and show that internal power struggles are currently intense.

This chaos was fully confirmed when the Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi declared the Strait of Hormuz "completely open" on April 17.

However, The IRGC immediately contradicted diplomatic statements by declaring the Strait closed and threatening to target any vessel attempting passage.