Lebanon Tightens Control Over Ports, Airports to Curb Hezbollah Financing

The United States is maintaining consultations with Israel and Lebanon on how to verify the full removal of Hezbollah fighters and weapons from southern Lebanon. U.S. officials note that the agreement calls for the Lebanese army to carry out Hezbollah's disarmament, but the mechanism for enforcing and monitoring the process remains unclear.

Beirut’s government, led by President Joseph Aoun and Prime Minister Nawaf Salam, has expanded its crackdown on the Iran‑backed group. New measures strengthen Lebanese state control at ports, Beirut‑Rafic Hariri International Airport and border crossings, including modern scanners and tighter customs checks. The steps aim to cut Hezbollah’s logistics, smuggling routes and illicit funding channels that previously moved cash, gold and contraband through Syria and the capital’s infrastructure.