Opinion: US Must Prioritize Hezbollah in Iran Deal Negotiations

This opinion piece argues that the United States must treat Hezbollah as a central component of any negotiations with Iran, rather than separating the Lebanese and Iranian fronts. The author contends that Hezbollah functions not as an independent actor but as a forward arm of Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), deeply integrated into Tehran’s regional strategy. Citing extensive time spent on the Israeli-Lebanese border, the article highlights the ongoing threat to Israeli civilians and the failure of previous disarmament efforts under UN Resolution 1701. It warns that a deal excluding strict constraints on Hezbollah would allow the group to regenerate its terror infrastructure, posing direct risks to US homeland security through global criminal networks and historical attacks on Americans. The text emphasizes Hezbollah’s dominance over the Lebanese state, which prevents internal reform or effective enforcement of international resolutions. Consequently, the author urges Washington to recognize that neutralizing Hezbollah is essential for regional stability and protecting American strategic interests, rather than pressuring Israel to halt operations while leaving missile threats intact.