Iran Claims Response to Mikati: "No Intention to Interfere in Lebanese Affairs"
Iran's statements about non-interference in Lebanese affairs contradict its clear influence through Hezbollah, raising questions about the credibility of its official position
October 21, 2024, 10:44 pm

نجيب ميقاتي

The official spokesperson for the Iranian Foreign Ministry, Ismail Baqai, stated that his country rejects the accusations made by Lebanese caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati of interfering in Lebanese affairs. He added that Tehran does not intend to interfere in Lebanese affairs or the affairs of any other country.

Baqai explained that the optimal solution to settle the political crisis in Lebanon lies in conducting a Lebanese-Lebanese dialogue, indicating that the issue of electing a president is a matter for the Lebanese and the active forces on the political scene, including Hezbollah.

The spokesman confirmed that Iran is ready to consult with any country that proposes initiatives to stop Israeli attacks in Lebanon.

This response comes after Mikati called on the Iranian leadership in a televised interview with Al Arabiya/Al Hadath on Sunday evening to "reduce emotion towards his country," stressing the Lebanese government's rejection of any external dictates or interventions. He criticized statements by Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf about taking over negotiations with France regarding the implementation of Resolution 1701.

With the expected date of Israel's response to the Iranian missile attack earlier this month approaching, the Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman warned against targeting nuclear sites. He explained that his country had alerted the International Atomic Energy Agency about Israeli threats to its nuclear facilities.

He emphasized that Tehran is following with concern the threats to target its nuclear facilities, considering them unacceptable and condemned according to international charters and resolutions, including Resolution 533. He confirmed that Iran considers these threats a danger to international peace and security, noting that an official protest has been submitted to the IAEA and the UN Security Council. In response to a question about the possibility of Iran changing its nuclear doctrine, Baqai replied: "There is no place for weapons of mass destruction in our policy."

It's worth noting that Tel Aviv has repeatedly confirmed that its response to Tehran will be painful and surprising, while Washington urged it to take a measured response to avoid the outbreak of a wider war in the Middle East. The US President has also publicly opposed striking nuclear or even oil facilities inside Iranian territory.

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BENEFIT, the Kingdom’s innovator and leading company in Fintech and electronic financial transactions service, has sponsored the BuildHer CityHack 2025 Hackathon, a two-day event spearheaded by the College of Engineering and Technology at the Royal University for Women (RUW).
Aimed at secondary school students, the event brought together a distinguished group of academic professionals and technology experts to mentor and inspire young participants.
More than 100 high school students from across the Kingdom of Bahrain took part in the hackathon, which featured an intensive programme of training workshops and hands-on sessions. These activities were tailored to enhance participants’ critical thinking, collaborative problem-solving, and team-building capabilities, while also encouraging the development of practical and sustainable solutions to contemporary challenges using modern technological tools.
BENEFIT’s Chief Executive Mr. Abdulwahed AlJanahi, commented: “Our support for this educational hackathon reflects our long-term strategic vision to nurture the talents of emerging national youth and empower the next generation of accomplished female leaders in technology. By fostering creativity and innovation, we aim to contribute meaningfully to Bahrain’s comprehensive development goals and align with the aspirations outlined in the Kingdom’s Vision 2030—an ambition in which BENEFIT plays a central role.”
Professor Riyadh Yousif Hamzah, President of the Royal University for Women, commented: “This initiative reflects our commitment to advancing women in STEM fields. We're cultivating a generation of creative, solution-driven female leaders who will drive national development. Our partnership with BENEFIT exemplifies the powerful synergy between academia and private sector in supporting educational innovation.”
Hanan Abdulla Hasan, Senior Manager, PR & Communication at BENEFIT, said: “We are honoured to collaborate with RUW in supporting this remarkable technology-focused event. It highlights our commitment to social responsibility, and our ongoing efforts to enhance the digital and innovation capabilities of young Bahraini women and foster their ability to harness technological tools in the service of a smarter, more sustainable future.”
For his part, Dr. Humam ElAgha, Acting Dean of the College of Engineering and Technology at the University, said: “BuildHer CityHack 2025 embodies our hands-on approach to education. By tackling real-world problems through creative thinking and sustainable solutions, we're preparing women to thrive in the knowledge economy – a cornerstone of the University's vision.”