Beirut: Hezbollah, the Iran-backed group in Lebanon, which once had significant influence across the Middle East, is now a shadow of its former self. As part of the Iranian-backed Axis of Resistance, Hezbollah has recently faced significant setbacks, including assassinations, loss of military assets, and limited access to resources.
According to TRTworld.com, Hezbollah's decline can be attributed to several recent developments. Despite a ceasefire, Israel has persisted with airstrikes and ground incursions into southern Lebanon, targeting Hezbollah's military infrastructure. This conflict has led to over 4,000 deaths and displaced nearly 1.4 million people in Lebanon, as reported by Lebanon's Health Ministry. Among the casualties was Hassan Nasrallah, Hezbollah's leader for three decades, who was killed alongside other key commanders in Israeli strikes.
A dramatic spy attack in September 2024 saw Israel detonate pre-rigged walkie-talkies in Lebanon, resulting in the deaths of 32 people and injuries to thousands more, in an operation targeting Hezbollah members. The economic crisis in Lebanon has also played a role, with the government showing seriousness about disarming Hezbollah. This move is backed by a US proposal, supported by Saudi Arabia, which calls for Hezbollah's disarmament in exchange for Israel's withdrawal from southern Lebanon. Lebanese President Joseph Aoun's positive response to this proposal has been noted by Thomas Barrack, the US envoy.
Iran's declining regional clout, especially after its conflict with Israel in 2025, has further weakened Hezbollah. While ties between Iran and Hezbollah remain, Tehran's focus on internal security has left the group exposed to Israeli hostilities. Analysts suggest that Iran's relative decline and lack of intervention during the 2024 war are key factors in Hezbollah's openness to disarmament talks. Some Hezbollah supporters are pushing for the group to redefine itself as a Lebanese nationalist resistance party rather than an Iranian proxy.
Hezbollah's regional role suffered another blow with a regime change in Syria, where a new government has taken power. The new Syrian leadership, led by President Ahmed al Sharaa, is unlikely to continue Iran's agenda in the region. This shift has cut off Iran's access to Hezbollah, with both Syria and Lebanon agreeing to coordinate border security efforts.
Finally, efforts to cut off Hezbollah's financial resources are also underway. Lebanon's central bank has signed an agreement with a US advisory firm to combat illegal activities, aiming to prevent Hezbollah from using the financial system to recover. This agreement is part of a broader effort to remove Lebanon from the FATF's grey list, which could otherwise deter foreign investment. The US Department of the Treasury has imposed sanctions on Hezbollah-related financial institutions, accusing them of managing "financial activities" for the group. The US has promised economic aid to Lebanon if Hezbollah is fully disarmed.