US envoy Barrack threatens Lebanon with Israel war if Hezbollah is 'not disarmed'

US envoy Tom Barrack has threatened Lebanon with Israeli attacks if it fails to disarm Hezbollah, in a new warning on Sunday.

Barrack warned that if Beirut "fails to act now", Hezbollah's military wing will inevitably face "a major confrontation with Israel".

"Should Beirut continue to hesitate, Israel may act unilaterally – and the consequences would be grave," he warned in a lengthy post on X.

Hezbollah’s disarmament has been a topic of contention in recent months in Lebanon. US envoys have been putting pressure on President Joseph Aoun and his cabinet to disarm the group, which has resisted such calls and refused to lay down its weapons.

Barrack also revealed an offer the United States made to Lebanon earlier this year, part of a plan called "One More Try", which included a framework for phased disarmament, verified compliance, and economic incentives under American and French supervision.

However, Lebanon "refused to adopt it due to Hezbollah's representation and influence in the Lebanese cabinet", he claimed.

The US envoy spoke of Washington's efforts to push Lebanon towards a peaceful solution with Israel, allegedly "by offering incentives, linking reconstruction aid from Gulf states through US, French and UN oversight, and strengthening the Lebanese Armed Forces through targeted training and support".

This month, the US said it committed more than $200 million in additional funding to the Lebanese army.

Barrack also went on to criticise the Lebanese leadership in his post, saying its divided Council of Ministers "sends mixed messages" to the Lebanese Armed Forces, who lack "the funding and authority to act".

"Washington was willing to provide diplomatic cover for Hezbollah's peaceful political transition, coordinate regional statements linking investment to progress, and help Beirut present disarmament not as surrender but as a restoration of sovereignty".

But "all of these initiatives have faltered while the rest of the region hastened to expel Iran's terrorist proxies", he said.

He also questioned how Lebanon "allows" for Iran to continue funding Hezbollah in spite of sanctions.

Barrack stressed that Hezbollah’s disarmament "is not only Israel’s security imperative, but Lebanon’s opportunity for renewal". He warned that foreign control of Hezbollah, in a likely reference to Iran, "undermines Lebanon’s sovereignty, deters investment and erodes public confidence".

"Lebanon faces a defining choice: to seize the path of national renewal or remain mired in paralysis and decline."

In his lengthy post, Barrack spoke about "peace initiatives" for Lebanon and Syria, from his own perspective.

He also warned that in the event of an Israel attack against Hezbollah, the group will "almost certainly seek to postpone" the scheduled May 2026 parliamentary elections, and throw Lebanon into chaos.

In his post, Barrack confirmed that newly appointed US ambassador Michel Issa will visit Lebanon next month "to help steer a steady course through these complex issues". 

This comes as Joseph Aoun called for indirect negotiations with Israel on Monday "to find solutions" as Israeli forces continue to violate the ceasefire agreement, which came into force in November 2024.

According to a statement from the presidency, Aoun said: "The Lebanese state has previously negotiated with Israel under US and UN auspices, which resulted in an agreement to demarcate the maritime border."

"We cannot be outside the current path in the region, which is the path of crisis resolution, and we must be part of it, as we can no longer tolerate more war, destruction, killing, and displacement."

Hundreds of breaches have been reported, including attacks which have killed over 100 people. On Monday, Israeli airstrikes were reported in several villages of the Jezzine district. 

Israeli forces also continue to be stationed in five "strategic" hilltops, in another violation of the ceasefire.