Report: Iran Pledges More Financial Support to Hezbollah After US Deal

Iran has reportedly promised Hezbollah a significant increase in financial assistance once frozen Iranian assets are released under a new international memorandum with the United States. The report, aired Thursday by Al Hadath and citing Reuters sources familiar with ties between the two sides, says the cash inflow would begin immediately after the agreement is signed and the funds are unfrozen.

According to the report, the potential money transfer could be a major boost for Hezbollah, which has recently been forced to cut payments and has even offered limited financial aid to displaced families. Experts at Carnegie Middle East Center said Iranian money would help Hezbollah sustain its support base and rebuild political alliances damaged during the war.

US officials said no funds will be unfrozen for “any terrorist organization,” and argued that the memorandum is intended to pressure Iran to restrain its proxies, otherwise it will not receive the deal’s benefits. Even so, the arrangement has raised questions because Tehran is still demanding an Israeli withdrawal from Lebanon as a necessary condition.

Iran and Hezbollah, meanwhile, reportedly maintain that the group will continue receiving Iranian backing regardless of the exact terms of the agreement. They also see Israel’s military presence in Lebanon as a violation of the memorandum.