U.S. Pressures Lebanon to Exclude Hezbollah from Finance Ministry Amid Political Shakeup

The United States is exerting pressure on top Lebanese officials to prevent Hezbollah and its allies from nominating the country’s next finance minister, multiple sources revealed. The move is part of Washington’s broader strategy to curb the influence of the Iranian-backed militant and political group amid shifting power dynamics in Lebanon and the wider Middle East.

According to five sources familiar with the matter, U.S. officials have relayed their stance to Lebanese Prime Minister-designate Nawaf Salam and President Joseph Aoun, urging them to exclude Hezbollah from the new government. Aoun, who was elected in January with U.S. backing, has been engaged in political consultations to form a cabinet that balances Lebanon’s complex sectarian power-sharing system.

U.S. Sees Finance Ministry as a ‘Red Line’

Since 2014, Hezbollah’s ally, the Amal Movement, has controlled the finance ministry—a key position with oversight on Lebanon’s public spending and access to international financial aid. However, Washington now views the ministry as a “red line”, according to Michael Young, a political analyst at the Carnegie Middle East Center.

“The U.S. is trying to put in place a post-Hezbollah order in Lebanon, and denying Hezbollah and Amal control over key ministries is part of that strategy,” Young told Reuters.

Three sources indicated that Massad Boulos, a Lebanese American businessman and former adviser to Donald Trump, was among those delivering this message to Lebanese leaders. Although Republican lawmakers have publicly urged Trump to push Hezbollah out of the government, this is the first time reports confirm direct U.S. intervention on the matter.

Hezbollah’s Weakening Influence and International Aid Ties

Hezbollah has suffered setbacks following last year’s war with Israel, while its regional ally, Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, has been ousted from power. Washington is now capitalizing on these developments to further limit Hezbollah’s grip on Lebanon’s government.

Three sources with direct knowledge of the discussions said that allowing Hezbollah or Amal to appoint the finance minister would hurt Lebanon’s chances of securing foreign aid for reconstruction efforts. Israeli airstrikes from last year’s war devastated parts of the country, particularly Hezbollah strongholds in majority Shia areas.

While Hezbollah has called for Arab and international support to help rebuild, Western and Gulf nations—especially France, Saudi Arabia, and the U.S.—have indicated that financial assistance depends on political conditions, including Aoun’s election and limiting Hezbollah’s role in governance.

Growing Political Tensions Over Cabinet Formation

Lebanon’s political factions remain deeply divided over the new government. The Christian Lebanese Forces Party, a strong opponent of Hezbollah, has threatened to boycott the government if Hezbollah and Amal retain control over key ministries.

Meanwhile, Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri, the leader of Amal and a close Hezbollah ally, has proposed former minister Yassin Jaber for the finance post. U.S. officials reportedly do not object to a Shia nominee for the role but insist Hezbollah and Amal should not be the ones to select the minister directly.

Salam, a former judge at the International Court of Justice, was nominated on January 13 to lead the cabinet. He now faces the challenge of forming a government that balances sectarian quotas while navigating international pressures.

Future of U.S.-Lebanon Relations

As Lebanon struggles with an economic crisis, international donors and financial institutions remain cautious about releasing aid. A recent letter from U.S. Representatives Darin LaHood and Darrell Issa urged Trump to condition financial support on Hezbollah’s exclusion from government.

“The new Lebanese government must not allow any members of Hezbollah or their political proxies to serve,” the letter stated.

With Lebanon’s future hanging in the balance, the battle over the finance ministry has become a focal point in the broader geopolitical contest between Washington and Tehran, with Hezbollah’s role in Lebanon’s governance under intense scrutiny.