Beirut -- A Lebanese man plants a national flag in the ground at a cemetery before a funeral ceremony for the victims of the conflict between Israel and Lebanon's Hezbollah in the city of Qana.

Lebanon’s political leaders reacted on Wednesday against Tehran’s perceived meddling in the country’s internal debates over Hezbollah’s disarmament, following comments from a top Iranian official.

The dispute erupted with an interview by Ali Akbar Velayati, senior foreign policy adviser to Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who said that the existence of Hezbollah is more important than food for Lebanon.

“Given Israel’s desire to kill and plunder other lands today, Hezbollah’s existence is more essential than bread and water for Lebanon,” Tasnim News cited Velayati.

Lebanon Foreign Minister Youssef Raggi responded to such statement, addressing Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi.

“I truly wished to believe that Iran does not interfere in Lebanon’s internal affairs, until I saw Mr. Velayati’s statement,” Raggi posted on X.

“What is more important than water and bread for us is our sovereignty, freedom, and independent decision-making, far from ideological slogans and cross-border agendas that have destroyed our country and continue to push us toward ruin,” he added.