Reports: Hezbollah Political Council Member Opens Door to Talks with Washington

What happened

Naharnet reports that Mahmoud Qmati, a member of Hezbollah’s political council, stated that the party has not definitively closed the door to direct communication with the United States, suggesting that future talks would depend on interests and suitable circumstances. This stance marks a notable shift from Hezbollah’s prior position labeling the US as the "Great Satan."

Outside Brief is treating this as a source-led account. Any disputed responsibility, casualty figure, battlefield claim or single-source assertion should be treated as unconfirmed/hearsay unless confirmed by another reliable source or a named official. The party’s media relations unit clarified Qmati was referring specifically to the Islamabad communication channel, not a direct Washington channel, according to Asharq al-Awsat. Despite this, sources close to Hezbollah and Amal Movement confirmed to Asharq al-Awsat that Qmati’s statement was coordinated rather than personal or spontaneous, given the media intervention.

Multiple sources told Asharq al-Awsat that messages have been exchanged between Hezbollah’s leadership and Washington through intermediaries in Lebanon, Turkey, and Qatar, with the possibility of indirect or even more significant meetings. Hezbollah reportedly is open to such discreet communications as long as Iran remains involved.

Known from the source

• Mahmoud Qmati is a member of Hezbollah’s political council.
• Qmati stated that Hezbollah has not definitively closed the door to communication with the US.
• Hezbollah’s media relations unit clarified that Qmati referred to the Islamabad track, not Washington.
• Sources close to Hezbollah and Amal confirmed that Qmati’s statement was coordinated.
• Sources told Asharq al-Awsat that messages have been exchanged via intermediaries in Lebanon, Turkey, and Qatar.

What remains unclear

This development coincided with a U.S. ambassador’s comments that a solution to the Lebanese crisis requires Iran and Hezbollah’s involvement, reflecting a possible diplomatic opening amid ongoing regional complexity. However, it remains unclear if these exchanges have produced substantive progress or merely exploratory dialogue.

What remains unclear: Confirm whether the central claim is corroborated; until then treat it as unconfirmed/hearsay. Whether there is direct or indirect communication between Hezbollah leadership and Washington beyond the Islamabad track. The nature and content of any meetings or messages exchanged. Official responses or confirmations from Hezbollah, U.S. government, or intermediaries.

Evidence note

Outside Brief has kept this brief source-led and attributed. Claims should be read alongside the original source linked below.

Original source: Naharnet Lebanon. Open the source.