TEHRAN – The Iranian Foreign Ministry issued a statement on Sunday calling U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo’s accusations against Iran “provocative, meddlesome, and undiplomatic”, saying such comments once again showed Washington’s policy of paternalism toward independent nations.

Pompeo, who visited Beirut on Friday after traveling to Kuwait and Israel, claimed all the Lebanese authorities he met believed in the importance of keeping the political power of their country out of Iran's "meddlesome" hands. He also made accusations against Hezbollah who is part of the Lebanese government.

Qassemi said, “Such stances and comments, on one hand, stem from the failure of the U.S. plots, destructive policies and excessive demands in the region, and on the other indicate the dissatisfaction and excessive outrage of the irrational rulers of the country over the popular solidarity and unity in Lebanon and the restoration of calm and stability in the country (Lebanon), especially after the formation of its government.”

“The U.S. government, which has failed to realize its vicious goals in the sensitive region of the Middle East, is resorting to the worn-out, scandalous and outdated trick of intimidating and threatening others in a bid to impose its hegemonic policies and behavior.”

Earlier in Lebanon, Pompeo had asserted that "Hezbollah is merely a terrorist group" that has been launched and financed by Iran" aimed at "annihilating Israel, and even destroying Western democracies, including the United States'."

The Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman said Pompeo’s accusations against Hezbollah are “rude and irrational”.

“How can the U.S. secretary of state, while visiting Lebanon, allow himself to make such rude and irrational remarks against an important political and legal section of the country who enjoys support among a considerable part of the Lebanese people and is an important part of the country’s government and parliament?”

Pointing to Washington’s old policy of bullying regional governments, Qassemi said, “The U.S. government, which has failed to realize its vicious goals in the sensitive region of the Middle East, is resorting to the worn-out, scandalous and outdated trick of intimidating and threatening others in a bid to impose its hegemonic policies and behavior.”

In order to do that, he said, Washington not only creates “sedition” in ties between other countries, but also levels groundless accusations against others.

Qassemi said the Trump administration has sent Pompeo to the region in line with White House’s decision to relocate its embassy in Israel to Jerusalem al-Quds and recognize the Zionist regime’s sovereignty over the Golan Heights in a blatant violation of the internationally accepted norms, laws, and regulations.

“These indicate that the U.S. administration, accompanied by a few of the regional countries, intends to implement new plots and provide as much support as possible for Israel while ignoring the rights of the Palestinian people through the so-called ‘Deal of the Century’,” he stated, according to the Foreign Ministry website.

He added, “Given the necessity of maintaining stability and calm in the region, the Islamic Republic of Iran underlines the [need for] reinforcement of convergence and cooperation among regional countries in fight against the Zionist regime’s expansionism and aggressions, and in campaign against terrorist groups.”

The Foreign Ministry official said despite accusations against Hezbollah by the U.S. secretary of state, Iran will use all its energy to foster unity between all political factions in Lebanon and develop ties with Beirut.

“While respecting the government and nation of Lebanon and the independent will of the country, Iran stresses that it will tap into all its capacities in order to promote internal solidarity and unity in Lebanon, and to reinforce bilateral ties with the country in issues that are in the interest of the Iranian and Lebanese people."
The ministry spokesman also said it is not surprising such words come out of the mouth of Pompeo because Hezbollah and the “wise people” of the region have foiled Washington’s “new and vicious plots” in the region.