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Sources familiar with relations between Tehran and Hezbollah say that Iran plans to increase financial support for its Lebanese ally after unblocking funds under a memorandum of understanding with the United States...
A memorandum of understanding between Iran and the United States, expected to be signed on Friday, could bring significant political and financial benefits to Hezbollah in Lebanon, according to a Reuters report.
Four sources familiar with relations between Tehran and the Lebanese Shiite group said Iran has promised increased financial support for Hezbollah once it has access to funds unblocked as part of the deal with Washington.
According to the mediator, Pakistan, the memorandum aims to halt hostilities on all fronts, although full details of the agreement have not been made public. The ceasefire also includes Lebanon, where clashes between Hezbollah and Israel have escalated in parallel with broader tensions between Iran and the United States.
Israel inflicted heavy losses on Hezbollah during the 2024 war, while publicly opposing any easing of sanctions on Iran. An increase in Iranian funding could help the group recover some of the capabilities lost during the conflict.
Two regional diplomats briefed by Iranian authorities said Tehran has assured Hezbollah that it will receive additional funding once Iranian assets are unfrozen. A senior Lebanese source confirmed that Iran has promised financial assistance as soon as possible, while another source said the support is expected to increase. Neither of them gave specific figures.
Hezbollah's media office told Reuters that Iran had made its support for the group public and that this assistance was ongoing. In response to questions about whether Hezbollah would directly benefit from the unblocked funds, the group said Tehran would continue to support Lebanon "regardless of the details of the return of its funds."
On the other hand, a US official said Washington has made it clear to Iran that funds will not be released if they are used for organizations the US considers terrorist. According to him, the agreement also creates incentives for Iran to curb allied groups in the region.
The US Treasury Department has estimated that Iran transferred about $1 billion to Hezbollah during the first ten months of 2025, despite tough US sanctions.
The war has had serious consequences for Lebanon. According to Israeli authorities, military operations have targeted Hezbollah infrastructure in the south of the country, while thousands of people have been displaced and many villages have been destroyed.
Analysts say a large infusion of funds from Iran would allow Hezbollah to help its supporters and strengthen political alliances within Lebanon. Mohanad Hage Ali of the Carnegie Middle East Center called such a scenario a “game changer” for the organization.
The issue of Hezbollah's disarmament remains unresolved. Israel demands the disbandment of the group's military structures, while Hezbollah rules out this possibility. Expert Andreas Krieg from King's College London estimates that a more realistic solution could be the demilitarization of southern Lebanon in exchange for the withdrawal of Israeli forces.
Meanwhile, Iran continues to demand the withdrawal of Israeli troops from Lebanese territory. The Iranian Foreign Minister stated on Tuesday that Israel's continued military presence in Lebanon would be considered a violation of the memorandum of understanding.
According to Reuters, the latest developments could strengthen Hezbollah's narrative as a "resistance" force, making it more difficult for the Lebanese government to limit its political and military influence in the future. /Adapted from Pamphlet /
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