ERBIL, Kurdistan Region of Iraq - The Secretary-General of Hezbollah, Naim Qassem, met with Secretary of the Supreme National Security Council of Iran, Ali Larijani, in Beirut, the Lebanese militant group reported on Thursday.

Qassem thanked Iran for what he called its “ongoing support” to Lebanon and its fight against Israel. He also spoke about what he described as the "brotherly relations" between the Lebanese and Iranian people.

Speaking beside the tomb of Hezbollah's former secretary-general Hassan Nasrallah, who was killed in an Israeli airstrike on Beirut in September 2024, Larijani said, "Today, Hezbollah in Lebanon is a living and sustainable movement that brings honor and pride to Islam."

Addressing Hezbollah members, the Iranian security official said, "You may be disliked and resented, but know that this resentment is due to your importance and influence," according to Iranian state media.

The visit comes after the Lebanese government recently announced that it would move to disarm the Shiite group's armed wing by the end of 2025, with Lebanese President Joseph Aoun telling Larijani on Wednesday that "it is forbidden for anyone... to bear arms and to use foreign backing as leverage."

Founded in 1982 to oppose the Israeli invasion of Lebanon, Hezbollah has enjoyed strong ties with and received extensive material support from Iran, with the group forming the lyncpin of Tehran's 'Axis of Resistance' across the Middle East.

Earlier this week, Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia’ al-Sudani received Larijani and his delegation in Baghdad. According to the Iraqi government, Sudani said Iraq seeks to strengthen relations with Iran in many areas to benefit both countries.

The Iraqi premier also oversawthe signing of a joint security agreement between Iraq’s National Security Adviser Qassem al-Araji and Larijani. The deal focuses on securing the shared border between the neighboring countries.

US Congressman Joe Wilson criticized the visit, saying on social media that the Iraqi National Security Adviser was “meeting his boss,” the Iranian National Security Adviser, while Iraq’s government is trying to pass a law giving Iranian-backed militias full control of the country.

He said these are the same militias the US State Department accused just a day earlier of attacking Americans. Wilson called the situation “a scam” and said President Donald Trump and Republican lawmakers will not allow it to continue.

During his meeting with Larijani, Araji said the Iraqi government will not allow any action that threatens neighboring countries. Both officials discussed ways to strengthen historical ties between Iraq and Iran, as well as the security situation in the Middle East.

They also spoke about the humanitarian crisis in Gaza and urged the international community to stop the killing and starvation of Palestinians.

Larijani praised the Iraqi people for their generosity toward pilgrims traveling to Karbala and commended Iraq’s “balanced” foreign policy, which he said has helped improve security and stability in the region.