The Trump administration has approved a waiver for $95 million in military assistance to Lebanon, part of a broader effort to bolster the country’s armed forces and support its new government, Axios reported citing two U.S. officials.

The waiver signals the Trump administration's ongoing strategy to counter Hezbollah's influence in Lebanon, while ensuring the stability of the ceasefire with Israel. The U.S. is keen on reducing Hezbollah's sway over the Lebanese government, a move that also reflects its broader regional objectives.

"The Department approved an exception to expend the $95 million of foreign military funding recently reprogrammed to Lebanon. We are working with our Department of Defense colleagues to move forward with the implementation of these funds," a spokesperson for the U.S. State Department told Axios.

In a notable incident in February, security officials at Beirut’s international airport prevented several Iranian commercial flights from landing, suspecting they were transporting funds intended for Hezbollah. In response, Hezbollah supporters blocked the roads leading to the airport, forcing the Lebanese army to use tear gas to break the blockade.

"This was a big test for the Lebanese army," one U.S. official remarked, underscoring the significance of the military's response.

The U.S. officials also expressed cautious optimism about Lebanon’s political transition, with one noting that "Aoun's presidency is a historic opportunity to change the reality in Lebanon for the better."

In line with a ceasefire agreement with Israel, the Lebanese army has deployed to southern Lebanon, particularly in areas once controlled by Hezbollah militants. The Israeli military has largely withdrawn from southern Lebanon, with Israeli soldiers remaining in five positions deep inside Lebanese territory. While the Lebanese government has publicly opposed the Israeli troops' presence, U.S. and Israeli officials said there is a quiet understanding between the three countries that the Israeli military will remain in these positions for several weeks or months, until the Lebanese army stabilizes the region and neutralizes Hezbollah's threat.

U.S. and Israeli officials have emphasized the success of the U.S.-led ceasefire monitoring mechanism, which they say is functioning effectively. For the first time in years, the Lebanese army has entered areas in southern Lebanon previously controlled by Hezbollah, destroying military infrastructure and seizing some of the group’s ammunition caches.

"A year ago, nobody would believe this is possible. It is major progress," a U.S. official stated, highlighting the substantial strides made by Lebanon’s military forces in recent months.