The Iraqi government has defended its newly signed border security agreement with Iran, rejecting criticisms from the United States and emphasizing that Baghdad is not subordinate to the policies of any other state. Iraqi officials stressed that Iraq maintains friendly and cooperative relations with a broad range of countries. Meanwhile, Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam criticized recent statements by some Iranian officials, describing them as unacceptable, while reaffirming Lebanon's historical defense of the Palestinian cause and its commitment to making decisions independently without external influence. Salam also reiterated Lebanon's desire to maintain respectful relations with Iran and other friendly nations. The visit of Iranian official Ali Larijani to Lebanon sparked mixed reactions, with broad public approval in Lebanon contrasting with opposition from media outlets aligned with Saudi Arabia and the UAE. During Larijani's press conference in Beirut, a sudden power outage occurred. Iranian Foreign Minister Araghchi also arrived in Iraq’s Najaf, highlighting deepening ties between the two neighboring countries, which some U.S. officials have criticized. A U.S. congressman expressed frustration over Iraq and Iran's sovereign meetings, implying Iraq should seek U.S. permission, a stance Baghdad firmly rejects. The new Iraqi-Iranian border security pact comes amid U.S. efforts to counter pro-Iran militias in the region.