Iran’s new security chief, Ali Larijani, has embarked on his first foreign trip since taking office, starting with Iraq and then moving on to Lebanon, two countries at the center of complex regional dynamics.

During his visit to Baghdad, Larijani is expected to sign a bilateral security agreement with Iraq, strengthening cooperation between the two neighbors. From there, he will head to Beirut for talks with senior Lebanese officials.

His trip comes at a tense moment. Lebanon’s government recently approved a controversial plan to disarm Hezbollah, a powerful political and armed group long backed by Tehran. Iran has openly condemned the move, calling it an unacceptable interference by outside powers, namely, the United States and Israel.

“Our ties with Lebanon run deep,” Larijani said before departing. “We will continue to support Lebanese unity and independence in all circumstances.”

Tehran’s stance has been echoed by other Iranian officials, including Ali Akbar Velayati, an advisor to Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who accused Beirut of yielding to Western pressure. The disarmament debate follows last year’s war between Israel and Hezbollah, which left the group weakened but still influential.

Larijani, 68, took over as head of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council just days ago. His appointment comes in the wake of a 12-day war with Israel, which began when Israel launched unprecedented strikes on Iranian military, nuclear, and civilian sites.

As Iran cements its security ties with Iraq and weighs in on Lebanon’s political landscape, the region faces a delicate balance between diplomacy, resistance, and the looming risk of escalation.