Ortagus to Visit Beirut, Says Occupation No Excuse for Hezbollah Arms

Morgan Ortagus, U.S. Deputy Special Envoy for the Middle East, is expected to return to Lebanon within the next week, according to Lebanese newspaper al-Joumhouria. In a televised interview with LBCI, Ortagus confirmed the U.S. has imposed fresh sanctions targeting three individuals identified as financial facilitators for Hezbollah. The move is part of a renewed effort to disrupt funding channels linked to Iran and its affiliated groups throughout the region.

She emphasized that the current administration has revitalized the “maximum pressure” campaign first initiated during Donald Trump’s presidency. This initiative seeks to weaken the financial structures that sustain proxy organizations acting on behalf of Tehran, with Hezbollah remaining a primary target.

Sanctions Framework and Policy Objectives

Ortagus outlined that the newly announced sanctions are focused on uncovering and penalizing networks and individuals involved in unauthorized funding for Hezbollah. This step is seen as integral to a broader plan aimed at curbing the influence of militant groups backed by Iran across the Middle East.

She made it clear that this is not a one-off measure, and additional sanctions are forthcoming as part of an ongoing strategy. These efforts are intended to hold accountable those facilitating instability and armed activity through financial support to groups like Hezbollah.

Hezbollah’s Armament and South Lebanon Dispute

When asked whether Israel’s retention of five strategic positions in southern Lebanon could serve as justification for Hezbollah’s continued armed status, Ortagus dismissed the argument. She referenced previous conflicts involving Hezbollah in 2006 and earlier, attributing significant destruction in southern Lebanon to the group’s actions.

She reiterated that Hezbollah has twice drawn Lebanon into conflicts without national consensus and that the continued presence of its weapons cannot be justified by ongoing territorial disputes.

U.S. Vision for Lebanon’s Political and Economic Recovery

Ortagus also spoke about American efforts to collaborate with Lebanon’s political leadership, including President Joseph Aoun, Prime Minister Nawaf Salam, and Speaker Nabih Berri. The United States, she said, remains focused on promoting an economic recovery plan for Lebanon. A crucial condition for this, she noted, is the restoration of the Lebanese state’s monopoly on arms, specifically through the Lebanese Armed Forces.

She added that economic reform and national stability are contingent on disarming non-state actors across Lebanon, not just in the south but throughout the country.

Regional Peace and the Abraham Accords

Addressing broader regional dynamics, Ortagus commented on the potential for Lebanon to participate in the Abraham Accords, which were signed during Trump’s term and facilitated normalization between Israel and several Arab countries. While no negotiations involving Lebanon are currently underway, she stated that the former administration remained committed to expanding peace in the region.

She credited Trump’s leadership with breaking a nearly three-decade deadlock in Arab-Israeli diplomacy, highlighting the significance of agreements reached during his term.

Pending Visit and Final Remarks

Though she did not provide a firm date for her next trip to Lebanon, Ortagus indicated that she travels there regularly and expressed optimism about returning soon. She made a lighthearted comment about Beirut’s summer, suggesting the trip would be a welcome one.

In conclusion, Ortagus stressed that Lebanon’s long-term peace and prosperity are incompatible with the existence of armed non-state actors like Hezbollah. Her remarks included a brief reflection on regional developments in Syria, where sanctions have recently been eased. She pointed to the transitional leadership under Ahmed al-Sharaa and encouraged Lebanon to observe Syria’s pursuit of inclusive governance as a model for advancing stability.

Her message emphasized a future based on institutional authority and peaceful development rather than continued armed conflict.