Lebanese President Joseph Aoun has accused Iran of using Lebanon as a bargaining chip in its negotiations with the United States, expressing the desire of the Lebanese people for peace and stability. In an interview with CNN, Aoun highlighted the weariness of the Lebanese population towards cycles of violence, stating, "We are fed up and we want to live in peace." He criticized Iran for exploiting Lebanon for its strategic interests, particularly amid the ongoing conflict involving Hezbollah, the Iran-backed militant group. This group has been engaged in hostilities against Israel for over three months, escalating tensions along the Lebanese-Israeli border following US-Israeli strikes on Iran. Aoun, who has advocated for Hezbollah's disarmament and direct talks with Israel, emphasized that the Lebanese should not suffer destruction every few years. Meanwhile, Hezbollah has rejected a ceasefire proposal discussed in US-mediated talks, asserting that direct negotiations with Israel are not supported by the Lebanese people. The conflict has led to significant casualties and displacement, with around 1.2 million people forced to flee their homes due to Israeli strikes since March.