The new U.S. ambassador to Lebanon, Michel Issa, said Washington is pushing Beirut to move ahead with disarming Hezbollah and all other armed factions, describing the step as central to stabilizing Lebanon and a region undergoing rapid political shifts.

In an interview published Saturday by the Israeli newspaper Haaretz, Issa said the United States considers the Lebanese government’s August decision to strip Hezbollah and other militias of their weapons “essential to restore the authority of the state in Lebanon and secure its future.” He added that reducing the footprint of Iran-backed groups across the Middle East, including factions in Iraq and Yemen as well as Hezbollah, “are key steps for ensuring peace in Lebanon and across the region.”

Commenting on Israel’s recent operations inside Lebanon, including last week’s strike that killed senior Hezbollah commander Haytham Ali Tabatabai in Beirut’s southern suburbs, Issa stressed that Israel acts independently.

“Israel assesses its security needs and will take all measures it deems necessary to protect its citizens. There is no need to obtain authorization from the United States for that,” he said.

Issa said the United States continues to prioritize “a lasting peace between Lebanon and Israel,” but he noted that the administration is also focusing on expanding commercial and investment opportunities for American and Lebanese partners. The ambassador said economic cooperation is part of Washington’s effort to promote “a future of peace and prosperity” alongside the political track.