US Senators Introduce Bill To Sanction Hezbollah Backers, Boost Lebanon Security

August 8, 2026
By Mintesinot Nigussie

US Senators Jeanne Shaheen and James Lankford have introduced bipartisan legislation that would impose new sanctions on foreign supporters of Hezbollah while providing up to 300 million US dollars a year in security assistance to Lebanon. The Lebanon Sanctions, Stabilization and Support Act seeks to strengthen the Lebanese state, expand its authority over the country and support efforts to disarm Hezbollah, according to the senators.

Shaheen, the ranking Democrat on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, and Lankford, a Republican from Oklahoma, said the legislation was intended to support Lebanon’s democratic institutions, rule of law and security forces while reducing Iran’s influence through Hezbollah. The bill would sanction foreign individuals and entities that support Iranian financing of Hezbollah or obstruct Lebanon’s efforts to disarm the group and reform its financial sector. The proposed measures include blocking property, restricting financial transactions and imposing visa ineligibility, with exemptions for humanitarian assistance.

It would also authorise 200 million US dollars annually in security assistance for the Lebanese Armed Forces and Internal Security Forces. The amount could rise to 300 million US dollars a year if Lebanon demonstrates sufficient progress, including efforts to counter Hezbollah and intercept weapons, Captagon and other illicit goods used to finance the group. The legislation would continue humanitarian assistance and establish an incentive fund for infrastructure and civil-service recovery, with the funding directed towards services administered by the Lebanese state rather than Hezbollah.

The senators said the legislation was designed to build on direct negotiations between Lebanon and Israel and a trilateral framework involving the US, Israel and Lebanon. The bill would also require regular congressional reporting on Lebanon’s progress in disarming Hezbollah, reforming its banking sector and developing peaceful relations with Israel. It would require reporting on US coordination between the Lebanese Armed Forces and Israel Defense Forces and efforts to secure international financing for Lebanon’s recovery.

Shaheen said Lebanon had an opportunity to strengthen its sovereignty but would require sustained US support. Lankford said the legislation would target networks financing Hezbollah while strengthening Lebanon’s armed forces. The proposal comes as Lebanon continues to face economic and political pressures, including a banking-sector crisis and challenges in government formation. The senators also cited the displacement of an estimated 1.2 million people from southern Lebanon as a risk of further regional instability. The bill has been introduced in the Senate and would need to pass both chambers of Congress and receive presidential approval before becoming law.

Source: FSX Business News