Trump says he may hand Hezbollah file to Damascus, stoking Lebanese concern

On 21 June, US President Donald Trump told Fox News he was "close to giving it over to Syria" after expressing frustration that Israel had not defeated Hezbollah without large-scale destruction. He did not specify what "giving it over" would entail, leaving open whether he meant a Syrian military intervention, political mediation, increased border controls, or cooperation with the Lebanese state. The vagueness of the remark revived fears in Lebanon of renewed Syrian involvement despite Damascus' denials.

Trump's comments appeared to contradict an earlier dismissal by US envoy to Syria Tom Barrack, who called reports that Washington had pressed Damascus to send forces into Lebanon "false and inaccurate." Nevertheless, analysts say the president's repeated suggestions signal that parts of the US administration have contemplated assigning a role to Damascus in efforts to curb Hezbollah's influence in Lebanon, reinforcing perceptions that Washington may view Syrian authorities as a potential partner on the issue, much to the alarm of many in Lebanon, as reported by Middle East Eye