BEIRUT — The Islamic Republic of Iran has on several occasions offered to support and supply the Lebanese army with weapons and gear. The most recent offer, made in late 2014, appears suited to the army's needs in combating the Islamic State (IS) and Jabhat al-Nusra, but government dysfunction and disagreement in the Cabinet are preventing action even after the apparent removal of a major international barrier to its acceptance. 

Iran made its first offer in August 2010, in the wake of clashes in Adaisseh between the Lebanese and Israeli armies, when Israeli forces crossed the Blue Line presumably to uproot a tree blocking its surveillance cameras. Three Lebanese soldiers, a Lebanese journalist and an Israeli officer died in the fighting.

The episode prompted the United States to freeze $100 million in approved military aid to the Lebanese army for fear that the weapons might threaten the security of Israel. On the other hand, Iran, through its ambassador to Lebanon at the time, Ghazanfar Roknabadi, told Lebanese army commander Gen. Jean Kahwagi of its willingness to support the army.

In November 2010, Iranian Defense Minister Ahmad Vahidi renewed his country's offer during a visit by Prime Minister Saad Hariri to Tehran. The proposal was repeated during a visit by Defense Minister Fayez Ghosn to Tehran in February 2012. Iran presented the opportunity again during a visit to Beirut by Ali Shamkhani, head of Iran's Supreme National Security Council, in September 2014. This last time, Prime Minister Tammam Salam welcomed the offer, and a date was set for a visit by Defense Minister Samir Moqbel to Iran to discuss the particulars. Moqbel headed to Tehran in October for a series of meetings.