Iran Backs Hezbollah Against Disarmament Plan in Lebanon
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said Tehran supports Hezbollah’s stance against Lebanese government plans to disarm it.
Iran has declared its full support for Hezbollah as the Lebanese government prepares to debate a contentious plan to disarm all armed groups, including the Iran-backed movement. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi stated in a televised interview that while Tehran will not interfere directly, it “fully supports” Hezbollah’s decisions. The move underscores mounting tensions in Lebanon, where Prime Minister Nawaf Salam has tasked the army with implementing a disarmament policy before year’s end.
Tehran Signals Strong Support
Araghchi emphasized that Hezbollah remains a strategic ally and has regained strength after its 2024 war with Israel. “The organization has rebuilt its capabilities,” he said, framing attempts to strip Hezbollah of its weapons as a direct challenge to the “strength of the resistance.”
While claiming non-interference in Lebanese internal affairs, Araghchi’s remarks were widely viewed as a political green light for Hezbollah to defy government-led demilitarization.
Disarmament Plan Faces Internal Resistance
The disarmament proposal is spearheaded by Prime Minister Nawaf Salam, with the Lebanese army expected to present a detailed plan by the end of August. President Joseph Aoun also delivered an unprecedented speech last week calling for the handover of all arms to the state — signaling a potential shift in official Lebanese policy toward Hezbollah’s military wing.
Hezbollah officials have rejected the initiative. The group’s deputy secretary-general, Naim Qassem, reportedly told Iranian media that Hezbollah is prepared to resist what it sees as an externally pressured move to weaken the resistance axis.
Regional Implications
This development comes amid heightened regional volatility, including the Israel-Gaza conflict and renewed U.S.-Iran tensions. Iran’s public stance on Hezbollah’s armament adds further complexity to Lebanon’s fragile political landscape and could escalate domestic discord between Hezbollah-aligned and opposition factions.