US Secretary of State Marco Rubio urged Lebanese President Joseph Aoun not to return confiscated explosives to Hezbollah during a Thursday telephone call, according to a US State Department official.
The discussion followed the interception of a shipment containing approximately 780 kilograms of explosives, which Hezbollah acknowledged was intended for operations against Israeli forces.
Rubio called for accountability for those responsible for ordering, financing and directing the shipment, while emphasizing that the seized materials should remain outside Hezbollah's control.
He also advocated direct military communication between Lebanese and Israeli forces to prevent unintended confrontations.
Aoun reaffirmed Lebanon's commitment to bringing weapons under state authority, according to the Lebanese presidency.
He said the army and security agencies were implementing measures to confiscate illicit arms, prevent unauthorized armed activities and combat smuggling.
The Lebanese president also asked Washington to pressure Israel to halt attacks and destruction affecting towns and villages in southern Lebanon.
Hezbollah lawmaker Hassan Fadlallah confirmed Thursday that the intercepted explosives belonged to the group and were intended for use against Israel.
He said Hezbollah had contacted Lebanese security agencies to establish ownership and demanded the return of the shipment and the release of detained personnel.
A Hezbollah official and a Lebanese security source told Reuters that the explosives were intended for drones targeting Israeli troops.
Prime Minister Nawaf Salam announced Monday that authorities would investigate Hezbollah members connected to the shipment, describing its transportation as a criminal operation.
The confrontation follows Lebanon's March 2 prohibition of Hezbollah's military activities, imposed after the group launched rockets toward Israel amid the wider US-Israeli war with Iran.
Under a US-brokered arrangement, Lebanon committed to disarming Hezbollah in exchange for a gradual Israeli military withdrawal.
However, Hezbollah has refused to surrender its weapons while Israeli forces remain on Lebanese territory.
Israeli attacks have continued across southern Lebanon despite diplomatic efforts, complicating Beirut's efforts to enforce state control over weapons and implement the disarmament agreement.