Washington, United States. The U.S. government on Thursday announced sanctions against Lebanese officials it said were aligned with Hezbollah and members of the previously sanctioned Alaa Hassan Hamieh business network. It said the measures were taken over obstructing Lebanon’s peace process and delaying the disarmament of Hezbollah.
Treasury designations
The U.S. Treasury Department said its Office of Foreign Assets Control was also designating individuals in Lebanon, Syria, Iraq, and Oman. According to the department, those targeted were raising funds and operating front companies to generate revenue for Hezbollah, an Iran-backed militant group.
Hezbollah and regional tensions
Hezbollah, a Shi’ite Muslim group designated a terrorist organization by Washington, has been armed and financed by Tehran since it was founded by the Revolutionary Guards in 1982.
U.S. President Donald Trump said on Wednesday he had spoken to Syria’s leader about combating Hezbollah in Lebanon amid concerns the group would benefit from cash infusions from Iran after a U.S.-Iranian interim memorandum of understanding was signed on Wednesday as part of efforts toward ending the war on Iran.
Impact on Lebanon
The deal is expected to halt hostilities across all fronts, including Lebanon, where Hezbollah fired at Israel in solidarity with Tehran on March 2, triggering an Israeli offensive that has killed thousands and led Israel to invade southern Lebanon.
U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said Hezbollah must disarm for Lebanon to achieve a secure future.
“Treasury will continue to target Hezbollah’s financial networks and hold accountable those who enable the group to undermine the Lebanese state and threaten prospects for lasting peace,” Bessent said in a statement.