Iran and Lebanon have diplomatic relations today, with embassies in each country. Historical connections date back to ancient times, when the Achaemenid Empire ruled Phoenicia (modern Lebanon). Lebanese city-states contributed ships and naval expertise to the Persian Empire.
Since the Iranian Revolution in 1979, The Iranian regime has been interfering in Lebanese sectarian politics and has influenced Lebanese Shia Political Parties.
In a 2012 Pew Global Attitudes survey, 39% of Lebanese people viewed Iran favorably, compared to 61% which viewed it unfavorably. 62% of Lebanese oppose Iranian acquisition of nuclear weapons, 57% consider a nuclear-armed Iran a threat, and 74% approve of "tougher sanctions" on Iran, while 46% support use of military force to prevent Iran from developing nuclear weapons. Notably, while most Sunni Muslims and Christians in Lebanon expressed unfavorable views of former Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad (92% and 57%, respectively), 95% of Lebanese Shi'a viewed him favorably.A Global “No” To a Nuclear-Armed Iran. Pew Research Center
History Relations between Iran and Lebanon during the reign of Shah Mohammad Reza Pahlavi occurred in two phases: The first phase lasted from the mid-1950s to the 1967 June war and was closely affected by the policies of Egyptian President Gamal Abdel Nasser, which led the Shah to support the government of Lebanon as well as other anti-Nasser governments in the Middle East; the second phase, from 1967 to 1979, witnessed tense relations because anti-Shah groups were trained by Palestinian militant organisations in Lebanon during this time span.
In a 2012 Pew Global Attitudes Survey, 39 percent of Lebanese people viewed Iran favorably, compared to 61 percent which viewed it unfavorably. 62 percent of Lebanese oppose Iranian acquisition of nuclear weapons, 57 percent consider a nuclear-armed Iran a threat, and 74 percent approve of "tougher sanctions" on Iran, while 46 percent support use of military force to prevent Iran from developing nuclear weapons. Notably, while most Sunni Muslims and Christians in Lebanon expressed unfavourable views of President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, 92 percent and 57 percent respectively, 95 percent of Lebanese Shia Muslims viewed him favourably.
Amidst the polarised atmosphere of the Syrian Civil War, on 19 November 2013 two suicide bombings occurred outside the Iranian embassy in Beirut, Lebanon, killing 23 people, including an Iranian cultural attaché. A Sunni Islamist militant group claimed responsibility.
On 18 October 2024, Najib Mikati publicly criticized Iran, calling for its envoy to be summoned after remarks from Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf suggested Tehran would assist in negotiating the implementation of U.N. Resolution 1701 regarding Lebanon. Mikati expressed surprise at Ghalibaf's comments, viewing them as blatant interference in Lebanon's affairs and an attempt to assert control over the country. He emphasized that any negotiations should be conducted solely by the Lebanese state.
On 24 March 2026, Lebanon decided to withdraw its approval of Mohammad Reza Raouf Sheibani, the Iranian ambassador to Lebanon, giving him until 29 March to leave the country. The decision was linked to "Tehran's violation of diplomatic norms and established practices between the two countries" he has still not left the country.
Political relations
Political division In Lebanon, support for ties with Iran are largely polarised over political lines with the March 14 Alliance opposing stronger ties, and the March 8 Alliance advocating stronger ties as a counterweight to Israel.
Political support After all parties of the Lebanese government reached a consensus as part of the Doha Agreement, Iranian Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki traveled to Lebanon and welcomed the agreement as a "great achievement" for the Lebanese people.Iran FM meets Lebanon’s heavyweights Tehran Times 27 May 2008, Retrieved 22 August 2013
According to an Israeli source, Iran pays Lebanon's Speaker of the Parliament Nabih Berri 500,000 US dollars annually, the Amal Movement denied this and said Berri will not comment.
Hezbollah
Iran has been alleged to have founded and funded Hezbollah, a relationship that some say continues to this day in an apparent nexus with Syria. During the 2006 Lebanon War, between the state of Israel and Hezbollah, Iran came out in firm support of Hezbollah in particular, and Lebanon in general.
On 26 February 2025, Lebanon's new government, led by Prime Minister Nawaf Salam, won a confidence vote in parliament, backed by 95 MPs. Notably, the government's policy statement omitted past language legitimizing Hezbollah's defense role. Salam pledged economic reforms and renewed IMF negotiations to address Lebanon's financial crisis, which began in 2019. The government was formed on February 8, following U.S. intervention, aiming to unlock reconstruction aid.
Military support Following Lebanese President Michel Suleiman's visit to Tehran in 2008 and the signing of a military and economic agreement between the two countries, formal military ties were encouraged.
Following the 2010 Israel-Lebanon border clash and consequent American threats to cut off funding for the Lebanese Army should it not be verified that Hezbollah would be kept from getting access to it, Lebanon's Defense Minister Elias Murr set up a fund to ask for donations to the armed forced. A few weeks later Suleiman asked Iran to consider selling advanced military equipment to the Lebanese Army, while stating modernization should take place while keeping in mind Beirut's strategic needs as well as its budget limitations. The next day, Iran's Defense Minister Ahmad Vahidi expressed readiness to offer military aid to Lebanon. "Lebanon is a friend and its army is our friend. We are prepared to help them."Iran Announces Readiness to Offer Military Aid to Lebanon Al ManarTV. 26 August 2010
Iran's Ambassador to Lebanon, Ghazanfar Roknabadi, affirmed Iran's willingness to aid Lebanon as requested by President Sleiman and Defense Minister Elias Murr. Upon being asked if Iran was willing to sell advanced rocket systems, Abadi said the Iranian Defense Minister was clear on this matter. "Everything is open before Lebanon in supplying it with arms and supporting it other fields." He also affirmed Iran would help in solving Lebanon's electricity problems at international rates in six months.Iran Ready to Arm Lebanon, Solve Electricity File in Six Months Al-ManarTV. 28 August 2010. Lebanese parliamentary speaker Nabih Berri said that the Lebanese executive, as led by Saad Hariri, was afraid of the US' wrath and thus would not pursue the Iranian offer of arms supplies.Al-ManarTV: Berri: Lebanese Executive Authority Scared of US anger, Doesn't Seek Iranian Aid Al-ManarTV. 19 October 2010.
Iran's ambassador to Lebanon, Ghazanfar Roknabadi, vowed that Iran would support Lebanon in its battle with Israel.
Economic relations Iran's Ambassador to Lebanon Ghazanfar Roknabadi suggested trade relations between the two countries could reach US$10 billion.Iranian Ambassador Says Iran-Lebanon Trade Can Reach $10 Billion Al-ManarTV. 27 October 2010.
On March 25, 2022, after their meeting in Beirut, Lebanese President Michel Aoun tweeted that Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amirabdollahian informed him that Iran was ready to support Lebanon in all spheres, "most especially in the distribution of wheat." In October 2025, Iran's Ambassador to Lebanon Mojtaba Amani stated that Lebanon rejected a $60 million humanitarian offer from the people of Iran. In his statement the reason for the rejection is the fear over the global sanctions on Iran.
Ahmadinejad visit to Lebanon Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad planned his first visit to Lebanon as presidentAhmadinejad begins Lebanon trip - Al Jazeera English. 13 October 2010. in October 2010, after his trip was previously delayed. His two-day visit included a tour of villages along Lebanon's tense border with Israel. He was scheduled to meet the Lebanese president, Prime Minister Saad Hariri and Speaker of Parliament Nabih Berri.
Iran's ambassador to Lebanon, Ghazanfar Roknabadi, said the visit was "aimed at fostering unity among the Lebanese and calling all Lebanese to stand beside each other for resistance and that is why Israel is furious and has threatened Lebanon...President Ahmadinejad is visiting Lebanon at the invitation of Lebanese President Michel Sleiman and the visit has political and economic dimensions."
Reactions The visit came amidst concern from the United States, who also warned their citizens against travel to Lebanon,US Warns Citizens ahead of Ahmadinejad's Lebanon Visit Al ManarTV 11 October 2010 Israel,Iranian Ambassador to Al Manar: Visit Aimed at Fostering Unity Al ManarTV, 12 October 2010 labeling the visit "provocative"Israel Silent ahead of Visit: Another Provocation! Al ManarTV, 12 October 2010 and section of the March 14 alliance, who also initially called the visit "provocative" but were more quiet after similarities were made with Avigdor Lieberman's comments such as Samir Geagea. Israel was monitoring his visit and increased the threat level on their northern border.Israel "Closely Monitoring" Ahmadinejad's Visit to South Lebanon Al ManarTV, 14 October 2010
Binyamin Netanyahu said of Ahmadinejad's speech that "we heard the curses and epithets from the Lebanese border. The best answer to those who curse was given here 62 years ago: the state and all that we have built and created since then. Look at this nation, look at this state, look at the army that the nation of Israel has. We will continue to build continue to create our state and we will know very well how to defend ourselves." Foreign Ministry spokesman, Yigal Palmor, also said "It is a provocative and destabilizing visit. It appears his intentions are blatantly hostile and he is coming to play with fire."Netanyahu on Ahmadinejad's Speeches: 'Curses and Epithets' Israel National News France also called the visit provocative.
His visit also comes at a time of concern over Lebanon stability following rumours of an indictment by the Special Tribunal for Lebanon. His Lebanese counterpart, Michel Suleiman, however, asserted Lebanon's right to host foreign dignitary. The March 8 alliance's parliamentary leader Michel Aoun also came out in support of the visitAoun: Ahmadinejad's Lebanon visit to yield positive results and hit back at Israel and the US' reactions saying they were "disgraceful and offensive," while lauding Iran because "[since] the revolution, Iran has always been backing Lebanon. We can see that not only in words but in actions. [Iran is] backing Lebanon with nothing in return."
Hezbollah Secretary-General Hassan Nasrallah gave an address before the arrival praising Iran's contributions to Lebanon's postwar reconstruction. He was also expected to attend a rally on the day of the arrival at the Al-Raya stadium in southern Beirut.Hezbollah to welcome Ahmadinejad Al Jazeera, 10 October 2010 He also said that though "there are those... who speak of an Iranian scheme for Palestine, for Lebanon, for the Arab region... and work to strike fear into governments and peoples[,] what Iran wants for Lebanon is what the Lebanese want. What Iran wants in Palestine is what the Palestinians want. That is the Iranian scheme."Sayyed Nasrallah: "What Iran Wants in Lebanon Is What Lebanese Want" Al ManarTV.