On August 6, Hezbollah rejected a Lebanese government decision to disarm the group, calling it “as if it did not exist” and accusing the cabinet of committing a “grave sin.” The move is unprecedented since Lebanon’s civil war factions disarmed over 35 years ago. Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi supported Hezbollah’s autonomy, stating disarmament decisions “will ultimately rest with Hezbollah itself,” while emphasizing Iran does not interfere but supports the group from a distance. Tensions remain high over the issue. n18oc_crux