US offers Lebanon hundreds of millions to 'break free from Iran' - with one condition

US senators introduced a bipartisan bill for $200 million in annual security aid to the Lebanese army, conditioned on fighting Hezbollah, with a possible increase to $300 million. The bill includes sanctions on Hezbollah supporters and a fund for infrastructure reconstruction. Senator Shaheen: 'A real opportunity to restore sovereignty and break free from Iran's destructive influence.'

US senators, Democrat Jeanne Shaheen and Republican James Lankford, introduced a bipartisan bill that would authorize $200 million in annual security aid to the Lebanese army, with a mechanism to increase it to $300 million. The aid is conditioned on progress the Lebanese government shows in the fight against Hezbollah, an organization designated by the US as a terrorist group. Concurrently, the bill proposes imposing sanctions on foreign entities supporting Hezbollah, including asset freezes, bans on financial transactions, and visa restrictions. The bill aims to build on the framework agreement between Lebanon and Israel mediated by the Trump administration, and to pave the way for a broader settlement. Additionally, the bill would establish a fund for infrastructure reconstruction in areas formerly under Hezbollah's control. Shaheen said Lebanon has 'a real opportunity to regain its sovereignty, disarm Hezbollah, and break free from Iran's destructive influence.' Lankford added that 'a sovereign Lebanon protects Lebanese, Israeli, and American citizens living in the region and exerts real pressure on terrorists.' The article notes that after US and Israeli strikes on Iran in February, Hezbollah attacked Israeli targets, and the IDF entered southern Lebanon. In the past week, there was a renewed flare-up, and the IDF ordered residents of a town in southern Lebanon to evacuate.