Why it matters:
The escalating rhetoric between the U.S. and Iran has implications for regional stability, and Lebanese leaders stress the importance of recognizing Iran's longstanding historical resilience.
The big picture:
As tensions rise, Lebanon’s political factions emphasize the need for a respectful dialogue rather than confrontational threats. They argue that a nuanced understanding of Iran's history is essential for any meaningful engagement.
What they're saying:
Ahmad Alwan, head of the Loyalty Party, stated, "Trump is a character who believes he is the emperor of the world; this arrogance may work against some countries, but it has no results against Iran. He should study the history of the Iranian people before making threats."
Sheikh Ghazi Hanina, president of the Islamic Scholars Association, commented, "The character of the U.S. president reflects the well-known arrogance of their government; he expresses this blatantly. Iran is a civilized country with a unique role in regional stability, which the U.S. does not want."
According to Sohaib Saeed Shaaban, a member of the Tawhid Movement in Tripoli, "Trump considers himself the ruler of the world. In reality, he is today’s Pharaoh. Americans are ready wherever they smell wealth and oil, but the Iranians have cut their hands off from their resources. Trump’s threats against Iran are threats against the entire region and are doomed to fail."
Sheikh Saleh Zou, president of the Guidance and Communication Association in Lebanon, added, "We have gathered here to state that when Iran is threatened and harmed, the repercussions affect everyone. American politicians need to learn from their past experiences with Iranians; we must be fair because Iran speaks the truth, while its enemies only speak through threats."
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