Hezbollah deputy leader Naim Qassem on Tuesday accused the United States of pressuring Lebanon to make unilateral concessions to Israel without any guarantees in return.
“America is putting pressure on the government to make concessions without reciprocal commitments or guarantees, and wants to give Israel free rein,” Qassem said in an address broadcast on Hezbollah’s al-Manar television channel. “The government’s role is not to listen to American diktats and begin implementing them,” he added.
Washington has been pressing Beirut to curb Hezbollah’s funding sources and ultimately disarm the Iranian-backed group. A US Treasury delegation visiting Lebanon on Sunday and Monday urged officials to act against Iranian financial channels supporting Hezbollah.
“The administration is very serious about cutting off Iran’s funding to Hezbollah,” John Hurley, deputy director for counterterrorism at the US Treasury, told reporters on Monday. The department estimates that Iran has transferred over $1 billion to Hezbollah since January.
A Lebanese official, speaking to AFP on condition of anonymity, described the US message as “clear and firm,” emphasizing Washington’s demand for active measures against Hezbollah’s financing.
Hezbollah was severely weakened in its most recent war with Israel, which ended in a November 2024 ceasefire. The group lost much of its military capacity and its long-time leader, Hassan Nasrallah, who was assassinated during the conflict.
Despite diminished influence in Lebanese politics, Hezbollah continues to resist calls to disarm. “We will not give up our weapons, which give us strength and determination,” Qassem reiterated.
Source: Al Arabiya
Bd-pratidin English/ Jisan
