Iran’s Foreign Minister, Abbas Araghchi, has arrived in Beirut amid escalating Israeli airstrikes and ground operations targeting Hezbollah.

In a statement made after meeting with Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri in Ain Al-Tineh, Araghchi, again, linked the situation in Lebanon to that in Gaza, saying that Tehran would support a ceasefire in Lebanon with the condition that it coincides with a cessation of hostilities in Gaza.

“We support the efforts for a ceasefire, provided that first, the rights of the Lebanese people are respected and it is accepted by the (Hezbollah) resistance, and second, that it comes simultaneously with a ceasefire in Gaza,” he stated. 

According to Lebanon's National News Agency, this visit marks the first by a senior Iranian official since the recent Israeli strike that resulted in the death of Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah and a high-ranking Iranian general.

The Iranian aircraft landed at Rafik Hariri International Airport on Friday morning, as confirmed by Lebanese state media. During his visit, Araghchi is scheduled to meet with Lebanon’s caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati and Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri, a close ally of Hezbollah.

Footage from Reuters shows the Iranian-flagged plane arriving just hours after Israeli airstrikes struck areas near the airport.