U.S. Bill to Support Lebanon and Disarm Hezbollah

The U.S. Senator Jeanne Shaheen, a prominent Democrat on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, and Republican Senator James Lankford introduced the "Lebanon Stabilization and Support Act," aimed at supporting the rule of law and democratic institutions in Lebanon through targeted sanctions, strengthening state civilian authority, providing security assistance to enable the state to monopolize force across its territory, disarming Hezbollah, integrating local communities into state institutions, and freeing Lebanon from Iranian influence.

Shaheen stated that "Lebanon now has, for the first time in decades, a real opportunity to reclaim its sovereignty, disarm Hezbollah, and free itself from Iran's malign influence," emphasizing that success requires sustained U.S. support.

She explained that the bill, backed by both the Republican and Democratic parties, combines strict sanctions against entities enabling and supporting Hezbollah with targeted security aid and recovery assistance, alongside enhanced congressional oversight.

She added that the legislation would help the Lebanese state extend its authority and work toward building a peaceful future with its neighbors, affirming that "a sovereign and stable Lebanon strongly serves U.S. interests."

Meanwhile, Lankford said Iran has used Hezbollah for decades to destabilize Lebanon, Israel, and threaten Americans in the region, noting that President Donald Trump created a real opportunity for change by bringing Lebanon and Israel to the negotiating table for the first direct talks between the two countries in 30 years.

He pointed out that the bill imposes severe sanctions on the network financing Hezbollah while simultaneously providing security assistance to the Lebanese Army, adding that "a sovereign Lebanon protects Lebanese, Israeli, and American residents in the region and exerts real pressure on terrorists."

The bill comes amid efforts to capitalize on the opportunity created by direct negotiations and the trilateral framework between the United States, Lebanon, and Israel, aiming to ensure Hezbollah's disarmament, integrate Lebanese communities previously dependent on the group into state institutions, and advance peaceful relations between Lebanon and Israel.

The bill’s sponsors believe the reform-oriented Lebanese government represents the best chance in decades to secure a safe and prosperous future for Lebanon after years of Iranian influence through Hezbollah, banking sector crisis, and difficulties forming governments.

According to the bill’s text, the Lebanese Army, with U.S. support including coordination with the Israeli military, has made progress toward disarming Hezbollah, yet illicit Iranian funding and Tehran’s ongoing support for the group remain key obstacles to completing this mission.

The legislation also notes that the displacement of approximately 1.2 million people from southern Lebanon intensifies the crisis and threatens a new regional emergency.

Sanctions and up to $300 million in funding

The bill mandates sanctions on foreign individuals who support Iran’s funding of Hezbollah or obstruct Lebanon’s efforts to disarm the group and reform its financial sector. Sanctions include asset freezes, financial transaction bans, and ineligibility for U.S. entry visas, with humanitarian aid exempted.

It also calls for continued humanitarian assistance and the establishment of an incentive fund to finance the recovery of infrastructure and civil services managed by the Lebanese state, rather than Hezbollah.

The bill authorizes $200 million annually in security assistance to strengthen the Lebanese Armed Forces and internal security forces, tied to verifiable progress in countering Hezbollah.

This amount can be increased to $300 million annually if sufficient progress is achieved, including foreign military financing and support for efforts to intercept arms shipments, captagon, and other illicit goods that fund the group.

Additionally, the bill establishes periodic oversight requiring reports on Lebanon’s progress in disarming Hezbollah, a strategy for using stabilization and security aid funds to provide alternatives to Hezbollah for Lebanese communities, and efforts to secure international donor financing.

Reports will also cover U.S. efforts to coordinate between the Lebanese and Israeli militaries, the path toward reforming Lebanon’s banking sector, and progress toward establishing peaceful relations between Lebanon and Israel.