The future of Hezbollah’s weapons is open for discussion: Under conditions

9th April 2025

2 minutes read

The future of Hezbollah’s weapons is open for discussion: Under conditions

A senior Hezbollah official told Reuters that the group is prepared to discuss the future of its arsenal — but only under specific conditions.

According to the official, Hezbollah is willing to engage in talks with President Jozef Aoun regarding its weapons if Israel withdraws from southern Lebanon and halts its airstrikes on the country. He outlined clear conditions for entering negotiations — a step some observers hope could eventually lead to the disarmament of the group.

For decades, Hezbollah has kept the issue of its arms off the negotiation table. In recent years, however, it has maintained significant political influence by securing a powerful position in government, particularly through what is known as the “blocking third.”

But following last year’s confrontation with Israel, and the loss of its leader Hassan Nasrallah, his successor Hashem Safieddine, and most of its senior and mid-level military commanders, Hezbollah accepted a ceasefire that did not result in Israel’s withdrawal from southern Lebanon. The group was also compelled to agree to the election of a president and the formation of a government — without its usual veto power.

The issue of Hezbollah’s weapons has resurfaced as Israeli airstrikes continue despite the November ceasefire. Meanwhile, Washington has intensified its calls for Hezbollah to disarm, particularly as the U.S. prepares for potential nuclear talks with Iran, the group’s primary backer.

The U.S.-brokered ceasefire agreement stipulates that the Lebanese army must dismantle all unauthorized military facilities and confiscate all weapons, starting with the area south of the Litani River — which flows into the Mediterranean about 20 kilometers from the Israeli border.

Two sources familiar with Hezbollah’s internal thinking said the group is considering handing over its heavy weapons — including drones and anti-tank missiles — to the Lebanese army north of the Litani River.

Just two days ago, Lebanese President Jozef Aoun reiterated that the state must retain exclusive control over arms in the country, calling on Israel to withdraw from the areas it occupies in the south.

He emphasized that “Lebanon needs time and space to resolve matters calmly,” and stated that “Israel’s continued occupation of the five disputed points only complicates the situation further and is of no benefit to Lebanon.”

He urged the United States to pressure Israel to withdraw from these territories.

When asked about his approach to Hezbollah’s disarmament, President Aoun stressed the importance of dialogue, saying: “As I stated in my inauguration speech, there is no place for weapons or armed groups outside the framework of the state. These matters must be resolved through communication.”

He added, “We will soon begin working on drafting a national security strategy, from which a national defense strategy will be derived.”

This shift comes at a time when Iran is seeking to finalize a nuclear agreement with the United States.

In a surprise announcement on Monday night, U.S. President Donald Trump declared that Washington would begin high-level direct talks with Iran over its nuclear program next Saturday, during a meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at the White House.