Joseph Aoun on Monday accused the Iran-backed armed group Hezbollah of attempting to push Lebanon toward collapse in pursuit of Iran’s strategic interests, as tensions intensify between the group and Israel.

Speaking during an online meeting with senior European officials, Aoun warned that a recent missile attack launched by Hezbollah against Israel could drag Lebanon into a devastating new conflict.

“Whoever launched those missiles wanted to bring about the collapse of the Lebanese state, plunging it into aggression and chaos… all for the sake of the Iranian regime's calculations,” Aoun said.

The Lebanese president described Hezbollah as “an armed group outside the state,” accusing it of disregarding Lebanon’s national interests and the safety of its citizens. He also called for direct negotiations with Israel under international supervision in an effort to halt the rapidly escalating confrontation.

Hezbollah backs Iran’s new supreme leader
Aoun’s remarks came shortly after Hezbollah publicly pledged loyalty to Mojtaba Khamenei, who was recently named Iran’s new supreme leader following the death of his father, Ali Khamenei.

According to the report, Ali Khamenei was killed in recent joint strikes carried out by the United States and Israel targeting Iranian leadership and military infrastructure, an event that significantly escalated regional tensions.

In a statement released Monday, Hezbollah welcomed Mojtaba Khamenei’s appointment and reaffirmed its allegiance to Tehran.

“We in Hezbollah extend our warmest congratulations and blessings on this occasion. We renew our pledge of loyalty to this blessed approach and our steadfastness on the path of allegiance,” the group said.

Hezbollah entered the expanding regional conflict last week by launching attacks against Israel in response to the killing of Ali Khamenei, opening a new front along the Lebanon–Israel border.

Lebanon caught in expanding regional conflict
The latest escalation marks one of the most dangerous developments on the Israel–Lebanon front in recent years, raising concerns that the wider confrontation involving the United States, Israel, and Iran could draw additional countries into the conflict.

Hezbollah—widely regarded as Iran’s most powerful regional ally—possesses a vast arsenal of rockets and missiles and holds significant political and military influence inside Lebanon.

For decades, the group has functioned both as a political party within Lebanon’s government and as an independent armed force operating outside the control of the Lebanese state.

Lebanese officials have repeatedly warned that unilateral military actions by Hezbollah risk dragging the fragile country—already suffering from severe economic and political crises—into a destructive war it cannot afford.

The escalation comes as Lebanon continues to struggle with financial collapse, deteriorating infrastructure, and political deadlock.