President Joseph Aoun told senior Iranian official Ali Larijani on Wednesday that Lebanon is ready to cooperate with Tehran within the bounds of sovereignty and friendship grounded in mutual respect, but warned that recent rhetoric from some Iranian officials toward Lebanon had been “unhelpful.”

Meeting the Secretary-General of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council at Baabda Palace, Aoun stressed that ties between Lebanon and Iran should not be conducted through a single sect or political faction, but should rather encompass all Lebanese by dealing with the State. He reiterated that Lebanon is the “final homeland” for all its citizens, Christian and Muslim alike, and that the State, through its constitutional and security institutions, is responsible for protecting all communities without exception.

Aoun told Larijani that the legitimate representatives of the Lebanese people are its constitutional institutions, which safeguard the nation’s higher interests.

“If the Islamic Republic of Iran seeks to advance its strategic interests, that is natural,” he said. “But we in Lebanon seek to advance our own as well.”

President Aoun rejected “any interference in our internal affairs from any party whatsoever” and called for Lebanon to remain “safe and stable in the interest of all Lebanese without discrimination.” He also noted that Lebanon does not meddle in other nations’ affairs, respects their particularities, and “will not accept interference in its own domestic matters.”

Referring to Lebanon’s history, the president said that whenever one side relied on foreign powers against another local faction, “everyone paid a heavy price.” The lesson, he added, is that “no party, without exception, is permitted to bear arms and use foreign backing against a fellow Lebanese.”

Aoun underscored that the Lebanese State and its armed forces are solely responsible for the security of all citizens. Any threat, whether from Israel or elsewhere, he said, is a challenge to all Lebanese, not just one group, and the “most important weapon” in facing such challenges is national unity. Lebanon, he added, would not hesitate to accept any assistance that strengthens that unity.

Larijani, for his part, said Iran seeks to strengthen its ties with both the Lebanese State and people in all areas, and praised Aoun’s role in bolstering national unity across sects and communities.

“Iran does not interfere in Lebanon’s internal affairs,” he said. “Iran does not want even the slightest disruption in its friendship or relations with the Lebanese State and people, and is ready to assist Lebanon if the Lebanese government wishes.”

According to MTV, Larijani told Aoun during their meeting that “what I am saying here reflects Iran’s official stance,” a comment interpreted as a retreat from previous positions voiced by several Iranian officials.