The United States has imposed fresh sanctions on Lebanon’s Hezbollah, redesignating the group over its alleged activities on behalf of the Iranian government.
The US Treasury Department announced the measures on Thursday, saying Hezbollah had been redesignated for providing services to the Iranian regime under the direction of the IRGC-QF.
A US official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said the move was intended to underline Washington’s assessment that Hezbollah operates on behalf of the Iranian government, particularly the Quds Force.
Hezbollah was designated by the United States as a Foreign Terrorist Organisation in 1997 and as a Specially Designated Global Terrorist in 2001.
The group operates as both a political organisation and an armed group in Lebanon. US sanctions are designed to disrupt its financial networks by freezing assets, restricting banking transactions and prohibiting the provision of goods, services and other forms of support.
The latest measures also target 10 individuals accused by Washington of helping to move cash for Hezbollah.
Among those sanctioned is a Turkish businessman whom the US Treasury accused of managing a regional network of couriers responsible for transferring funds between several countries and Hezbollah’s base in Lebanon.
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According to the Treasury, the businessman used exchange houses in Turkey as fronts and provided companies and bank accounts to facilitate transactions linked to the Quds Force.
Several couriers allegedly involved in the financial network were also targeted.
Sanctions Separate From Planned Iran Measures
The US official said the latest action against Hezbollah was separate from additional measures Washington has threatened against Iran.
President Donald Trump warned on Wednesday that countries providing “any type of lifeline to Iran” could face economic consequences as Washington seeks to end the war involving Iran and Israel.
US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent also said on Thursday that he would hold a news conference on Monday to announce what he described as the “toughest sanctions in history” against Iran.
Hezbollah’s Links to Iran
Hezbollah was established in Lebanon in 1982 with support from Iran’s Revolutionary Guards during Lebanon’s civil war.
The group has since developed into a major political and military force in Lebanon and maintains extensive social services, including schools and hospitals.
