Unsatisfied: Hezbollah Demands More Cash From Iran

Terror group Hezbollah has raised complaints with Tehran over what it considers insufficient financial support, as the organization works to rebuild after sustaining heavy losses in the war with Israel.

In recent months, senior Hezbollah officials have held discussions with Iran’s Quds Force regarding funding levels for the coming year. Hezbollah has reportedly demanded $2 billion in Iranian support, roughly double the amount Iran initially intended to allocate.

Over the course of 2024, Iran transferred hundreds of millions of dollars to Hezbollah to assist with rehabilitation following the downsizing of its forces and capabilities during the conflict. Despite those transfers, Hezbollah leadership remains dissatisfied, arguing that the scale of damage to its military infrastructure far exceeds current funding.

The organization continues to operate at full capacity in key areas. Weapons procurement, ground brigades, recruitment, training, and salary payments have not been economically disrupted. Active Hezbollah members are still receiving monthly salaries considered high by Lebanese standards, even as Lebanon remains in the grip of a severe economic crisis.

Hezbollah argues, however, that rebuilding weapons stockpiles and operational capabilities accumulated over two decades, much of which was degraded or destroyed in a short period of fighting, requires vastly greater financial resources. From the group’s perspective, current Iranian support is insufficient to restore its deterrence and long-term military readiness.

In recent months, Iran is believed to have funneled approximately $1 billion to Hezbollah through smuggling routes running through northern Iraq, Syria, and Turkey. These transfers have continued despite Iran facing significant domestic challenges, including an acute water crisis, rolling electricity blackouts, and worsening air pollution.

Iranian leadership has prioritized sustaining its regional proxy network over addressing internal infrastructure and public services. As a result, billions of dollars continue to flow to armed groups abroad, while ordinary Iranians bear increasing economic and environmental burdens at home.

The funding dispute underscores Hezbollah’s deep dependence on Iranian backing, as well as the growing strain on Tehran as it seeks to maintain its regional influence while confronting mounting domestic pressures.