Tom Barrack, the U.S. special envoy to Lebanon, announced on Monday that his team intends to explore the possibility of a ceasefire agreement with Israel. This comes after Beirut approved a U.S.-supported plan for Hezbollah to lay down arms.
Following discussions with Lebanese President Joseph Aoun, Barrack noted that the U.S. aims to propose an economic recovery plan for Lebanon, following extensive diplomatic efforts. Hezbollah, labeled a Foreign Terrorist Organization by the U.S. since 1997, is a key Iranian ally in the region and is heavily sanctioned by the U.S.
Barrack is also set to meet with Prime Minister Nawaf Salam and Speaker Nabih Berri, who often negotiates on behalf of Hezbollah with Washington.
“The Lebanese government has fulfilled their role by taking the initial step,” stated Barrack, who also serves as the U.S. ambassador to Turkey. “We now need Israel to reciprocate with similar actions.”
Lebanese Prime Minister Salam commented that Qassem’s statements implied a risk of civil conflict, which is undesirable for Lebanon today, and such implications are wholly intolerable.
After the attacks on October 7, 2023, by Hamas, Hezbollah initiated attacks on Israel, which replied with airstrikes. Over 14 months of fighting ensued, marked by Israel’s precise attacks on Hezbollah’s hierarchy. Although large-scale hostilities stopped following a U.S.-mediated ceasefire in November 2024, there have been breaches since then.
The Israeli military has mentioned that frequent airstrikes in southern Lebanon aim to debilitate Hezbollah’s infrastructure and hinder their regrouping and rearming efforts.
Barrack warned Hezbollah that it will have “missed an opportunity” if it does not back the calls for it to disarm.
U.S. deputy special presidential envoy to the Middle East Morgan Ortagus, attends the press conference of U.S. Ambassador to Turkey and Special Envoy to Syria Tom Barrack, after their meeting with Lebanese President Joseph Aoun at the presidential palace, in Baabda, east of Beirut, Monday, Aug. 18, 2025. (AP Photo/Hussein Malla)
Aoun and Salam both want to disarm Hezbollah and other non-state armed groups, and have demanded Israel halt its attacks and withdraw from the country.
Aoun said he wants to increase funding for Lebanon’s cash-strapped military to bolster its capacity. He also wants to raise money from international donors to help rebuild the country.
The World Bank estimates that Hezbollah and Israel’s war in late 2024 cost $11.1 billion in damages and economic losses as large swaths of southern and eastern Lebanon were battered. The country has faced a crippling economic crisis since 2019.
