The President of the Republic, General Joseph Aoun, sent a direct message to Iran, stressing his categorical rejection of any interference in Lebanese affairs, and stressing that Lebanon’s interests do not necessarily coincide with Iranian interests. Aoun said during a press interview that Iran is using Lebanon as a “pressure card” in its negotiations with the United States, adding: “My message to Iran is that our interests do not coincide with your interests.” He also stressed that "the Iranian Revolutionary Guard must be aware that Lebanon is our country, not their country," rejecting the use of Lebanon as an arena for settling regional scores or a bargaining chip in international negotiations. Regarding Hezbollah, Aoun called on its Secretary-General, Sheikh Naim Qassem, to adopt dialogue and negotiation, saying: “The Lebanese people are not your people,” stressing that Naim Qassem “does not represent the Lebanese people.” He added: "Hezbollah must understand that there is no other way but to sit down and engage in dialogue, and there is no way to save what remains except through negotiations and diplomacy." In another context, Aoun considered that the proposed agreement could constitute a gateway towards a "just and lasting peace," indicating that any possible meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu would not take place before reaching an agreement that ends the war.