Iran warns foreign powers against interference after Lebanon blast

Tehran, Aug. 10, (dpa/GNA) – Iran’s Foreign Ministry on Monday warned foreign powers not to interfere in Lebanon’s affairs after the country’s capital suffered a massive explosion at the port that killed at least 158 people and wounded 6,000.

Referring to clashes that erupted in Beirut in the wake of the blast, a Foreign Ministry spokesman said the explosion had been “a bitter incident and it is therefore understandable that people are upset and are demanding consequences,” but that foreign powers were agitating to further their own goals.

“This is unacceptable,” the spokesman was cited as saying by Iranian news agency Irna.
Some have pointed the finger at the Iran-backed Lebanese Hezbollah movement. Hezbollah’s chief Hassan Nasrallah has rejected accusations that his group controls the port and is therefore responsible.

The Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman said that Iran was focusing on providing humanitarian aid to the people affected by the blast, adding that any further measures would be decided on after the completion of investigations.

“It is still too early for an objective assessment of the situation,” he said.

GNA