Washington calls on Hezbollah to disarm and cease following Iranian orders

A US State Department spokesperson stated on Saturday that the trilateral framework involving the United States, Lebanon, and Israel recognizes the Lebanese government as the sole legitimate authority empowered to represent its people and determine the country's future. Emphasizing Washington's support for a safe and sovereign Lebanon, the spokesperson asserted that achieving this goal requires the disarmament of Hezbollah. The spokesperson accused Hezbollah of refusing to engage with the Lebanese government, the United States, or Israel because it is taking orders from Iran. Washington has called on the group to surrender its weapons to the Lebanese state, noting that if the group agrees to disarm, it could notify the Lebanese government to potentially facilitate further dialogue. These comments followed a televised address on Friday by Hezbollah Secretary-General Naim Qassem, who reiterated his rejection of the US-mediated framework agreement and vowed that the group would not surrender. The framework, reached on June 26, reportedly calls for Hezbollah's disarmament, the gradual withdrawal of Israeli forces from southern Lebanon, and the phased deployment of the Lebanese army in designated areas.