Link to article: https://www.jpost.com/middle-east/iran-news/article-717564
Iran is currently prepared to send fuel ships to Lebanon within two weeks. In 2019, Lebanon suffered an economic meltdown that nearly bankrupt the Lebanese government. with their coffers empty, Imports of fuel for government plants slowed. Because of this, most of Lebanon works with just 1-2 hours of state provided electricity per day. Many people have turned to private generators which have increased massively in price when global fuel prices spiked. One Lebanese energy ministry spokesperson said “any gift from anywhere is welcome”. Iran is now prepared to not only send shipments to fuel Lebanon’s power plants but is also currently discussing the construction of new power plants and fixing electrical power networks with Lebanon. Iran had once before proposed sending fuel to Lebanon as a gift in an attempt to prevent the United States from placing sanctions on its energy sector.
This deal would greatly benefit Lebanon as it would lessen its energy struggles and allow the government some breathing room. If talks go well, it would also see the development of Lebanon’s energy sector including new power plants. Iran seems to be making these offers with no reimbursement from Lebanon. However one must assume that Iran sees benefit in sending fuel to Lebanon, whether that is simply better relations or to avoid sanctions from the United states. With global oil prices having already reached their peak and have been on the decline for the past few months, it is likely that Lebanon’s crisis is on the decline and will eventually stabilize. I believe that Iran is not making this deal purely out of kindness, and that their are other reasons at play for Iran’s choices.
This topic directly relates to our class in International Relations as it pertains to interstate relations and diplomacy, international economics in particular. however, Iran is likely making deals with Lebanon for political reasons as well. Lebanon’s population have a negative majority opinion of Iran and a large percentage believe a nuclear armed Iran is a threat and that stiffer sanctions should be placed on Iran. Iran may be trying to better those relations.