The United States has encouraged Syria to deploy troops into eastern Lebanon to assist in disarming Hezbollah, though Damascus has shown reluctance amid heightened regional tensions.

According to five informed sources, U.S. and Syrian officials first discussed the proposal last year and revisited it around the time the United States and Israel launched airstrikes against Iran on February 28, 2026. A senior Syrian official said Washington gave a green light for such an operation when the time is right. Two Western diplomats confirmed U.S. approval for a potential Syrian cross-border action against the Iran-backed group.

Syria's President Ahmed al-Sharaa leads a Sunni Islamist government that took power after the fall of Bashar al-Assad's regime in late 2024. Sharaa, formerly known as Abu Mohammad al-Jolani and leader of Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, has pursued warmer ties with the West, including meetings with U.S. President Donald Trump and partial sanctions relief. The U.S. has viewed Syria as a potential partner against Iranian influence, especially after Hezbollah began firing rockets at Israel on March 2 in support of Tehran, prompting an Israeli offensive in southern Lebanon.

Damascus has deployed thousands of troops and rocket units to the Lebanese border since early February, describing the moves as defensive to secure its frontiers and prevent spillover from the conflict. A Syrian military official stated there is no final decision on entering Lebanon, but intervention remains an option if the Lebanese state clashes with Hezbollah. Syrian Defense Ministry spokesperson Brigadier General Hassan Abdel Ghani emphasized coordination with the Lebanese army and support for establishing state authority in Lebanon.

Hesitation stems from fears of Iranian retaliation, including missile strikes, and inflaming sectarian tensions among Syria's Shi'ite minority. A senior Syrian official noted that Damascus and its Arab allies agreed to avoid the war except for defensive measures. Sharaa has publicly backed Lebanese President Joseph Aoun's disarmament efforts but assured Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam that border reinforcements aim only at internal security and border control, respecting Lebanon's sovereignty.

Tensions between Syria and Hezbollah have risen recently. On March 10, Hezbollah artillery shells landed in a Syrian border village, which the group claimed targeted an Israeli incursion. Syria accused Hezbollah of firing on its soldiers earlier in the month. Lebanon's presidency said it received no notice of U.S.-Syrian discussions on intervention, while military channels with Damascus remain open for border security.

U.S. envoy for Syria Tom Barrack, who also serves as ambassador to Turkey, denied the reports on X, calling them "false and inaccurate." A State Department spokesperson declined to comment on private diplomatic talks. The proposal reflects broader U.S. efforts to counter Hezbollah's arsenal and influence, as Lebanon cautiously pursues disarmament under Aoun.

Syria's recovery under Sharaa has focused on economic stabilization and Gulf investment, but the Iran war threatens progress with closed airspace, energy disruptions, and refugee returns. Sharaa integrated Kurdish forces into the army in January and cooperated with the anti-ISIS coalition, positioning Syria as a stabilizing force despite its jihadist past.