Response to Washington

Ali Shamkhani, secretary of the Supreme National Security Council, said Washington’s opposition to Tehran’s military assistance to Lebanon demonstrates their “double standards” when it comes to fighting terrorism.  Shamkhani said Iran’s support is aimed at bolstering the Lebanese army in fighting terrorism in the region and has no business or economic objectives, ISNA quoted him as saying. US State Department spokeswoman Jen Psaki had said, “Iranian arms transfers to Lebanon could be in violation of Tehran’s obligation under existing UN Security Council resolutions.” During his trip to Lebanon on Tuesday, Shamkhani told reporters that Tehran plans to provide military equipment to the Lebanese army to help it combat terrorism.