Roundtable Discussion: The Dangers of Disarming Hezbollah – Lebanon’s Vulnerability at Stake

On Tuesday, the Mehr Media Group organized an important international conference titled “Hezbollah Disarmament and the Future of Lebanon.” This gathering brought together prominent regional experts to discuss the increasing foreign-backed pressures aimed at disarming Hezbollah and the significant implications this has for Lebanon’s sovereignty. As one of Iran’s leading news organizations, the Mehr Media Group includes the Tehran Times and the Mehr News Agency, both of which play crucial roles in the media landscape.

The conference took place against a backdrop of intensified efforts from the U.S. and Israel to undermine Hezbollah, emphasizing the group’s vital role in protecting Lebanon and countering foreign aggression. Since the ceasefire in November 2024, which marked the end of a 14-month war with Israel, Hezbollah has faced relentless calls for disarmament.

Here are some key points discussed during the meeting:

• Context of the Conflict: The original conflict was triggered by Israel’s escalating military actions against Gaza and Lebanon, coupled with Hezbollah’s unwavering support for Palestine following Hamas’s operation in October 2023.
• Hezbollah’s Role: Despite suffering losses, Hezbollah continues to serve as a critical deterrent against Israel’s violations of the ceasefire, including ongoing airstrikes and the occupation of southern Lebanese territories.
• International Pressures: The U.S. and Saudi Arabia have increased both political and economic pressure on Lebanon, linking reconstruction aid to the disarmament of Hezbollah.
• Government Actions: On August 5, Lebanon’s cabinet endorsed a U.S.-backed initiative aimed at limiting arms to state forces, a move met with strong opposition from Hezbollah’s leadership.

Sheikh Naim Qassem, Hezbollah’s Secretary General, firmly rejected the disarmament demands, asserting the necessity of maintaining the movement’s arsenal as a means to defend Lebanon and resist Israeli aggression. During the roundtable meeting, Mohammadreza Moradi, the chief editor of the international desk at Mehr News Agency, voiced concerns that the disarmament plan could jeopardize Lebanon’s stability, echoing Qassem’s commitment to “fight like Karbala” against such pressures.

Ali Ahmad, a Lebanese political researcher, critiqued the government’s alignment with U.S. interests, emphasizing that “The government believes Resistance must end while occupation persists.” He pointed out Hezbollah’s role in preventing further Israeli incursions during the September-October war, highlighting that the group is open to strategic dialogue but will not disarm amidst ongoing Israeli aggression.

Former Iranian ambassador to Lebanon, Ahmad Dastmalchian, framed the disarmament issue as part of a broader regional struggle. He stated, “Hezbollah’s weapons are a matter of honor, rooted among the people.” He cautioned that the attempts by the U.S., Israel, and Arab reactionary forces to disarm Hezbollah represent a serious miscalculation that could destabilize the entire region.

Ahmad al-Shami, an expert from Yemen’s Al-Masirah TV, emphasized Hezbollah’s historical victories, claiming, “These weapons stopped the enemy in 2000 and 2006.” He referred to Hezbollah’s arsenal as “the honor of the nation,” warning that disarming the group would only serve to further Israel’s ambitions in the region.

Mohammad Khawajoui, the director of Lebanon Studies at the Middle East Strategic Research Center in Tehran, described the disarmament initiative as a U.S.-orchestrated effort aimed at dismantling the resistance. He noted that “Disarming Hezbollah now would be a fatal blow,” particularly concerning the security of Lebanon’s Shia community, which is closely situated to Israel.

Zainb Farhat, an expert at Lebanon’s Naba TV, characterized the disarmament decision as “purely American.” She cited U.S. envoy Tom Barrack’s threats to transform Lebanon into “another Syria” and warned of possible civil disobedience or cabinet resignations if the plan moves forward, although Hezbollah is against any internal conflict.

Mohammad Ali Hasannia, an expert on Arab world issues, traced Hezbollah’s emergence back to the Israeli invasions of the 1980s and the influence of Iran’s 1979 Islamic Revolution. He argued that disarming Hezbollah would embolden U.S. and Israeli efforts to target resistance movements in Iraq, stating, “The Lebanese army, trained only with light U.S. weapons, cannot handle Hezbollah’s arsenal.”

All speakers at the conference were united in their rejection of the disarmament push, stressing that Hezbollah’s weapons function as both a national and regional deterrent. The removal of these weapons, they argued, would not only destabilize Lebanon but also embolden its adversaries, leading to further regional turmoil.