A shift in Lebanese diplomacy as Beirut challenges Iran’s proxy network

During an official visit to Brussels, Lebanon’s Foreign Minister Joe Raggi on Tuesday urged the European Union to expand its negotiations with Iran beyond the nuclear file to include Tehran’s regional proxies. 

He made the call during an expanded meeting with ambassadors of the EU’s Political and Security Committee.

Raggi stressed that any meaningful dialogue with Iran must also address the destabilizing role played by armed groups aligned with Tehran across the Middle East. In Lebanon, the most prominent of these proxies is Hezbollah, whose military power continues to overshadow state institutions.

The Lebanese government has formally committed to disarming Hezbollah and reasserting full control over weapons on its territory. While implementation remains highly sensitive, Raggi’s statement signals a clear political intention to restore state authority and sovereignty.

This position marks a significant shift in Lebanese diplomacy. Previous foreign ministers had avoided raising the issue of Hezbollah’s arms in international forums, wary of provoking the powerful Shiite movement and its Iranian backer. 

The taboo surrounding the subject has long constrained Lebanon’s foreign policy.

However, the political climate has changed markedly over the past year. Mounting economic collapse, regional instability, and growing public frustration have pushed Beirut to reconsider long-standing red lines. Lebanese officials now appear increasingly willing to confront issues once deemed untouchable.

By openly calling on the EU to include Iran’s proxy network in its discussions with Tehran, Lebanon is signaling its determination to reclaim decision-making authority over its own security. 

The message from Brussels is clear: Lebanon wants to move away from proxy politics and restore its full sovereignty, with international backing.

Whether this diplomatic repositioning will translate into concrete action on the ground remains uncertain. But for Beirut, the shift in tone alone represents a notable break with the past and a bid to redefine Lebanon’s place in a region shaped by power struggles and external influence.