The head of Iran's security agency will visit Iraq and Lebanon

The head of Iran's top security agency, Larijani, will visit Iraq and then go to Lebanon.

AFP quoted Iranian state media as saying that Larijani will leave for Iraq on Monday (August 11), and it is expected that the two countries will sign a bilateral security agreement.

He will then pay a three-day visit to Lebanon, during which he will meet with senior Lebanese officials. This is his first overseas visit since he took office as the chairman of the Supreme National Security Council last week.

Larijani told the state television before his departure: "Our cooperation with the Lebanese government has been long-term and in-depth." We held consultations on various regional issues. Against this specific backdrop, we are engaged in dialogue with Lebanese officials and influential figures in Lebanon.

He also said, "In Lebanon, our position is already very clear." National unity in Lebanon is of vital importance and must be maintained under any circumstances. The independence of Lebanon remains important to us and we will contribute to it.

Previously, Iran strongly opposed the plan to disarm its ally Hezbollah, and Lebanon condemned this as "blatant and unacceptable interference".

Ali Akbar Velayati, a senior advisor to Iran's top leader, described the plan to disarm Hezbollah as "in accordance with the will of the United States and Israel".

After the war broke out between Israel and Hezbollah last year, Hezbollah was once a powerful political and military force, but its strength has gradually weakened. Therefore, the Lebanese government is promoting the process of disarmament.

Meanwhile, anti-Hezbollah parties in the United States and Lebanon are exerting pressure, and the public is also worried that if Hezbollah remains armed, Israel might escalate its strikes.

Last week, 68-year-old Larijani was appointed as the chairman of the Supreme National Security Council, responsible for formulating Iran's defense and security strategy. However, any decision must be approved by Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.