Report: An agreement between the US and Iran will give Hezbollah a lifeline

The memorandum of understanding expected to be signed on Friday between the United States and Iran may provide Hezbollah with a valuable political and economic lifeline, the Reuters news agency reports today (Wednesday). According to regional and Lebanese sources, Tehran promised the terrorist organization an increased flow of funds with the thawing of its assets, to help it recover from the heavy losses it suffered in the war.

This, in addition to the situation in southern Lebanon which remains explosive: Iran demands a full Israeli withdrawal within the framework of the agreement and threatens a military response, while Israel insists on the continued presence of the IDF to thwart Hezbollah threats.

Iran’s memorandum of understanding with the US appears to be one that is expected to strengthen Hezbollah financially and politically in Lebanon, as Tehran promises additional funding to its ally once the cash starts flowing, according to four sources familiar with the ties between Tehran and the terrorist organization. Cash infusion to Hezbollah may help it recover from heavy war losses and act in complete opposition to the Israeli interest that strives to disarm Hezbollah and to weaken him financially as well.

Two regional diplomats briefed by Tehran said Iran had promised the organization it would receive more funds once assets were unfreezed, while a senior Lebanese source said Iran had promised funds as soon as possible, and another Lebanese source said Iran was expected to increase support. Neither source provided numbers.

Hezbollah’s Ministry of Information stated that Iran has publicly announced its support for the organization and that the aid continues. Regarding the question of whether Hezbollah will receive part of the Iranian funds that will be released, the Ministry of Information told Reuters that Tehran will continue to support Lebanon “regardless of the details of receiving its funds back.” A US official said that Washington made it clear to Iran that “funds will not be frozen if they are intended for any terrorist organization”.

“The memorandum of understanding will also encourage Iran to rein in its proxy organizations, as if they fail to do so, they will not be able to access any benefits of the agreement,” the official said.

The Israeli Prime Minister’s Office and Iran’s Foreign Ministry did not respond to requests for comment.

Today Naim Kassem, Secretary General of Hezbollah, said in a speech that “We welcome the great victory and the connection of the Lebanese arena to the agreement. “We call to take advantage of the decisive station and the crossroads where we are after the agreement, in order to expel Israel from Lebanon.”

Kassem also said: “He calls for the full implementation of the cease-fire agreement from November 2024 and for the Lebanese army to be deployed south of Litani. Later, he rejects the idea of ​​pilot zones or a yellow line and says that Israel should withdraw and will withdraw, according to him.”

Iran maintained financial support for Hezbollah throughout years of crippling American sanctions: it transferred $1 billion to the organization in the first 10 months of 2025, according to the US Treasury Department. In the meantime, Iran is pressing for an Israeli withdrawal from Lebanon – Iran’s foreign minister, Abbas Araqchi, said on Tuesday that the continued presence of Israeli forces in Lebanon would be considered a violation of the memorandum of understanding.

According to a report from Lebanon that was published this morning in the Saudi Al-Sharq Al-Aoust, Iran updated its allies in Lebanon with the details concerning Lebanon in the agreement that is taking shape that should be signed this Friday, and about the stages of its implementation. According to a Lebanese source, the agreement between Iran and the United States “mandates a cease-fire, the cessation of Israeli aggression and the guarantee of the integrity of Lebanese territory”, adding that “this matter requires an Israeli commitment to this, under the guaranty of the United States”.

The source continued: “(Hezbollah) was informed by the Iranian side that Israel, after the signing of the agreement next Friday, must begin a gradual withdrawal from the occupied Lebanese territories, and complete the withdrawal definitively before the date of signing the nuclear agreement with Iran”, that is, within the 60-day time frame.

The source said: “The organization has been informed that Tehran will not sign the nuclear agreement with Washington before a full Israeli withdrawal from the Lebanese territories.”