Hezbollah Spends Tens of Millions Restoring Drone and Command Systems

Hezbollah has spent three months rebuilding its military capacity after receiving tens of millions of dollars in cash from Iran, according to two Lebanese security sources briefed on the group's activities. The funding is intended to restore drone production and repair command structures that collapsed during recent combat.

This latest injection of cash comes on top of approximately $200 million that the group previously received from Tehran, a sum reported by Reuters earlier in October. The new money is specifically earmarked for procuring explosives and manufacturing drones capable of operating within the Israeli security zone in southern Lebanon.

The reconstruction effort follows two wars with Israel since 2024, which resulted in the deaths of thousands of fighters and senior leaders. Much of the group's arsenal was destroyed during those conflicts. The group, founded by the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps in 1982, remains committed to attacking Israel despite the losses.

Israeli troops currently occupy a security zone in southern Lebanon. Political pressure in Beirut has increased for the group to disarm, yet Hezbollah has used the pause in hostilities since June to rearm. One security source and another official close to Hezbollah confirmed the receipt of the new funds from Iran to boost military capabilities.

The group is working to restore command-and-control structures that broke down during key battles. Four security officials familiar with the operations confirmed these systems were damaged. In response to questions, Hezbollah's media office rejected the idea that its command systems had suffered a breakdown.

The Israeli military declined to comment on the reports. Iran's permanent mission to the United Nations in Geneva did not immediately respond to inquiries. A US State Department spokesman stated that Washington would continue to restrict Hezbollah's finances through sanctions. A US Treasury spokesperson added that Iran is running out of money and methods to transfer funds.

Tensions remain high in the region following the US-Israeli war with Iran that began in February. Hezbollah attacked Israel on March 2 in support of Iran, which triggered an Israeli response and the evacuation of many Shi'ite residents from southern Lebanon. Hostilities largely stopped over the summer under an interim Iran-US deal that included a Lebanon ceasefire.

The group is currently on alert for a potential US-Iran escalation that could reignite the front. Sources indicated that Hezbollah has not yet fully prepared its stockpiles or fighting force. The group acknowledged this month that explosives seized by Lebanese authorities belonged to it and were intended for use against Israel.

A Hezbollah official and a Lebanese security source specified that the seized explosives were for the group's explosive drones. The group also needs to repair its ability to coordinate small units and ration anti-tank rocket usage, a tactic that left some units isolated during previous fights against Israeli remotely operated systems.