In the meeting, Amir Abdollahian said, “We closely monitor the developments in Lebanon and are a friend and a supporter of this country both in difficult days and during the times of calm. We are ready for all types of cooperation with this friendly country in its current difficult juncture.”

The Iranian foreign minister pointed to the fast pace of developments in the region and said, “We believe these developments will be in the interest of Lebanon and the entire region.”

He added, “Based on the information that we have, we are positive regarding the region’s future and the outcome of negotiations.”

Amir Abdollahian voiced the Islamic Republic’s preparation to make use of its own capacities to play a role in resolving the crisis in Yemen.

The Islamic Republic of Iran, he added, welcomes Syria’s relations with the region and Arab countries.

He further conveyed Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi’s greetings to Aoun and handed over his invitation for the Lebanese president to make a visit to the Islamic Republic.

For his part, Aoun pointed to the economic hardships facing his country and said any problem in the region negatively affects Lebanon and, inversely, any problem in Lebanon leaves a negative impact on the region.

“Unfortunately, we are living in a region where there is a web of problems. While the Arab states are agitated, we are suffering from the issue of Syrian refugees; therefore, we should move toward stability,” the Lebanese president said.

Aoun said Lebanon’s resistance movement, which has the support of the Islamic Republic of Iran, managed to grow in the south and brought peace of mind to the country, but Lebanon comes under pressure because of the very same resistance movement.

The Lebanese president also expressed hope that the Vienna negotiations will yield successful results.

On Thursday, Amir Abdollahian held a meeting with Lebanese Prime Minister Najib Mikati in Beirut, where they discussed a range of topics, including Lebanon’s energy needs, the talks in Vienna on a potential revival of the 2015 nuclear deal, and the negotiation process between Iran and Saudi Arabia.

Iran’s chief diplomat said Tehran was ready to enhance economic ties with Lebanon and help the Arab state overcome its shortages of electricity and gas.

He also reaffirmed Iran’s position in the Vienna talks and said the country remained positive and serious in efforts to achieve an agreement aimed at restoring the 2015 nuclear deal.

The minister said Iran will continue pursuing its legitimate demands in the process and will not cross its red lines.

In turn, Mikati expressed hope for the Vienna talks to bear fruit and said an agreement in the Austrian capital will positively impact Lebanon and the entire region.

The premier also welcomed the negotiations between Iran and Saudi Arabia aimed at fixing their troubled relations.

In a separate meeting, Amir Abollahian exchanged views his counterpart, Abdullah Bou Habib, on bilateral and regional topics, including the situation in Afghanistan, Yemen and Palestine.

The top Iranian diplomat said his country will continue to stand by the Lebanese nation and is ready to help it get through the difficulties it is facing.

In turn, Bou Habib highlighted the importance of ties with Iran and expressed hope for the success of the Vienna process.

Amir-Abdollahian also met with Lebanon’s Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri for talks on bilateral trade cooperation and other international issues, including the Vienna talks, the Palestinian cause and the Ukraine conflict.

Berri, among other things, criticized some Arab states for turning their back on the long-standing cause against Israeli occupation of Palestine and normalizing ties with the Tel Aviv regime.