Lebanese source: Hezbollah arms still a basic issue for US; Lebanon, Iran files now 'deeply intertwined'

Quoted by journalist Yaron Schneider, Lebanese government sources tell N12 that Hezbollah's weapons remain a core issue for the American side ahead of implementation talks. The sources said the separation between the Lebanon and Iran files has become highly complex, but stressed that Lebanon continues its negotiation track, and that any external understanding must support, not replace, the Lebanese state's role.

Quoted by journalist Yaron Schneider (N12), Lebanese government sources said Tuesday morning that Hezbollah's weapons and their implementation mechanisms remain a basic issue for the American side and will be discussed further.

As The Zioneer reported earlier today (08:57), Lebanese sources told Saudi daily Asharq Al-Awsat that Iranian involvement does not substitute the government's role, and that Hezbollah's weapons remain on the agenda ahead of Washington talks.

In response to criticism in Lebanon over the reconnection of Iran to the Lebanon file through the mechanism agreed with the US in Switzerland, the sources told N12: 'The absolute separation between the Lebanon issue and the Iran issue has become highly complex, after years in which Hezbollah's decisions are connected to Tehran. However, the state of Lebanon continues on its negotiation track to restore stability, and any external understanding must be a factor that assists the solution, not a replacement for the role of the state of Lebanon.'

The remarks underscore growing concern in Beirut that the emerging US-Iran framework may entangle Hezbollah's status with broader nuclear talks, a dynamic previously flagged by analyst Yoni Ben Menachem (The Zioneer, June 10). The claims remain from a single on-record source, with no independent confirmation of the negotiating mechanisms.

2 developments

1. 1 hour ago · 09:00 · 23 JunLatest

   Sources state Lebanon and Iran files are now deeply intertwined and complex

2. 08:57 · 23 Jun

   Lebanese government sources: Iran involvement no alternative to Beirut's role; Hezbollah arms on the table ahead of Washington talks

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