Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf has said that Lebanon and the ‘Axis of Resistance’ remained among Tehran’s “clear and principled red lines” in its understanding with Washington, adding that lasting peace in Lebanon could only be achieved through Iran.

The “Axis of Resistance” is the Iranian-backed groups which are engaged in anti-Israel and anti-US influence in the Middle East.

The Axis includes Palestinian group Hamas, the Hezbollah movement in Lebanon; the Houthi movement in Yemen and various other groups in Iraq and Syria.

Ghalibaf made the remarks during a meeting in Tehran with a delegation of senior Hezbollah officials who travelled to Iran to attend the funeral ceremonies of Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei, according to Iran’s official IRNA news agency.

“We have maintained clear and principled red lines in the negotiations,” Ghalibaf was quoted as saying.

“One of these red lines is the issue of the resistance front and Lebanon.”

The Iranian parliament speaker said Tehran remained committed to supporting the Resistance Front, describing Iran’s backing of Hezbollah and allied groups as an “Islamic and revolutionary duty.”

Ghalibaf also praised Hezbollah’s performance in the recent conflict, describing it as a “historic turning point” that demonstrated what he called the enduring ties between Iran and regional resistance groups.

He also criticised the United States, saying Washington had consistently proven to be “unreliable and untrustworthy,” while insisting that Iran had adhered to its principles during negotiations.

Muhammad Fneish, a senior Hezbollah official, thanked Ghalibaf for his role on the diplomatic front and reaffirmed the close relationship between the Lebanese group and the Islamic Republic, IRNA reported.