Lebanon’s already fragile political landscape has grown more strained following remarks by Hezbollah leader Sheikh Naim Qassem signaling readiness to wage war in defense of Iran, triggering a sharp backlash from the presidency and halting efforts to repair ties between Baabda Palace and the group, according to sources familiar with the matter.

Sources told Nidaa Al-Watan that, in response to Qassem’s comments, the presidency sent a message to Hezbollah via intermediaries questioning the very rationale for continued dialogue.

“What is the point of sitting down and talking after Sheikh Naim’s remarks?” the message asked.

Hezbollah replied through unofficial channels, arguing that Qassem’s statements were “purely religious in nature” rather than political and insisting that the group was not seeking war. The explanation, however, failed to satisfy President Joseph Aoun, who was described as deeply irritated by Hezbollah’s overall conduct and particularly by Qassem’s rhetoric.

As a result, sources said no meeting will take place between Aoun and Mohammad Raad, head of Hezbollah’s parliamentary Loyalty to the Resistance bloc, until the presidency receives a formal and official clarification from the group regarding Qassem’s remarks.

President Aoun, who has repeatedly called for the exclusive control of weapons by the State and the restoration of full State authority, has grown increasingly frustrated with what sources described as Hezbollah’s maneuvering, patronizing tone and escalating rhetoric. According to Nidaa Al-Watan, the president has effectively stepped back from direct engagement with the party and entrusted Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri with handling communication on his behalf.

Berri, a key political ally of Hezbollah, also expressed unease over Qassem’s statements during a recent meeting with Aoun at the presidential palace, the sources said. He voiced anger over what he views as a campaign targeting the president and openly declared his support for him. Following Qassem’s latest remarks, Berri was said to be particularly disturbed by what he sees as yet another challenge to the authority of the Lebanese State, namely, Hezbollah’s insistence on unilaterally deciding matters of war and peace.

According to the sources, Berri later contacted Aoun again to express solidarity and pledged to try to play the role of the “older brother” tasked with speaking to the “younger brother” — a reference to Hezbollah — in an effort to ease tensions. Still, neither side is optimistic about achieving a meaningful breakthrough, given what they describe as Qassem’s increasingly confrontational, defiant and condescending language, which they attribute to mounting Iranian pressure.

The fallout has also derailed recent efforts to mend relations between Baabda and Hezbollah. Nidaa Al-Watan reported that Qassem’s remarks effectively wiped out progress toward arranging a meeting between Aoun and Raad. A communication channel between presidential adviser Brigadier General André Rahal and Ahmad Mehanna, an aide to Raad, had successfully paved the way for a visit to the presidential palace before Qassem’s comments upended the process.