Saturday, 06/06/2026   
   Beirut 14:59

Iranian Diplomat Uses Lebanese Colloquial Language in Swipe at President, PM

Esmaeil Baqaeil, Spokesman of Iranian Foreign Ministry in an image from archive.

Iranian Foreign Ministry Spokesman Esmaeil Baqaei on Saturday adopted Lebanese Vernacular in a thinly veiled swipe at Lebanese president and premier, regarding their stance of the Islamic Republic of Iran.

In a post on his X account, the Iranian diplomat said: “He sells out those who stand by him and supports those who oppose him.”

“He abandons those who supported him and follows those who oppress him,” Baqaei added, using Lebanese colloquial language.

The remarks are widely seen as Criticism of Lebanese President Joseph Aoun and Prime Minister Nawaf Salam.

Earlier on Friday, Aoun accused the Islamic Republic of Iran of using Lebanon as a “bargaining chip” in its negotiations with the United States.

For his part, Salam called on Iran to stop treating south Lebanon and its residents as “leverage” in negotiations with the US, saying “civilians are paying the price for a war that is not their war.”

Lebanon Joseph Aoun Nawaf Salam
Lebanese President Joseph Aoun and PM Nawaf Salam at Baabda Palace (Friday, February 27, 2026).

Since April 8, the date on which a ceasefire with Washington took effect, Tehran has maintained that any truce with the United States should encompass all regional fronts, particularly Lebanon.

In contrast, President Joseph Aoun and Prime Minister Salam have insisted that the indirect negotiations between Iran and the United States do not include Lebanon, while continuing with direct talks with the Israeli enemy.

For its part, Hezbollah has repeatedly accused the Lebanese president and prime minister of weakening Lebanon’s position by pursuing direct negotiations with the Israeli enemy.

Source: Al-Manar English Website