Joseph Aoun
Lebanese President. Former commander of the Lebanese Armed Forces.
Last refreshed: 25 March 2026 · Appears in 1 active topic
Lebanon banned Hezbollah and expelled Iran; why did Israel invade anyway?
Latest on Joseph Aoun
- Who is Joseph Aoun?
- Joseph Aoun is the President of Lebanon, elected in January 2025 after a 26-month vacancy. He previously commanded the Lebanese Armed Forces from 2017.
- What has Lebanon done in response to Israeli strikes?
- President Aoun condemned Israeli strikes, called for immediate talks with Israel, and led the government in banning Hezbollah military operations and expelling Iran's ambassador-designate in March 2026.
- Did Lebanon expel Iran's ambassador?
- Yes. On 25 March 2026, Lebanon expelled Iranian Ambassador-Designate Mohammad Reza Sheibani, a decision backed by President Aoun and condemned by Hezbollah.
- Why did Lebanon call the Qasmiyeh Bridge strike a prelude to invasion?
- President Aoun described the Israeli strike on the Qasmiyeh Bridge on 23 March 2026 as 'a prelude to ground invasion.' Israeli Defence Minister Katz confirmed a plan to seize territory south of the Litani the following day.
Background
Under PM Nawaf Salam, Aoun's government banned Hezbollah's military operations, arrested IRGC personnel, reinstated Iranian visa requirements, and on 25 March expelled Iranian Ambassador-Designate Sheibani, steps no previous administration dared take. Israel continued escalating regardless. Defence Minister Katz announced the IDF would seize all territory south of the Litani the day after the expulsion.
Joseph Aoun was elected Lebanon's President in January 2025, ending a 26-month vacancy made possible by Hezbollah's severe military degradation in late 2024. He had commanded the Lebanese Armed Forces since 2017, cultivating close ties with Washington, which funded the LAF as a counterweight to Hezbollah. His election was the first in years that Hezbollah could not veto.
Aoun's most pointed intervention came on 23 March, when he called the Israeli strike on the Qasmiyeh Bridge "a prelude to ground invasion." He had already called for direct talks with Israel on 16 March, characterising Hezbollah's attacks as a violation of Lebanese sovereignty. Netanyahu rejected the offer.
