WASHINGTON – The United States imposed financial sanctions Thursday on nine officials accused of blocking peace efforts in Lebanon and preventing the disarmament of the Iran-backed Hezbollah organization.
The Treasury Department’s Office of Foreign Assets Control stated these officials operate throughout Lebanon’s legislative, military, and security agencies, working to maintain Hezbollah’s control over important Lebanese government institutions.
“Hezbollah is a terrorist organization and must be fully disarmed,” Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent stated. The group, established in 1982 by Iran’s Revolutionary Guards, has been classified as a terrorist organization by the United States and Gulf Arab nations, including Saudi Arabia.
American officials blame the organization for suicide attacks in 1983 that resulted in 241 U.S. military deaths and demolished the U.S. Marine headquarters in Beirut, as well as a French military compound, killing 58 French paratroopers. The U.S. also attributes a 1983 suicide bombing at the U.S. Embassy in Beirut to Hezbollah.
AMERICA FOCUSES ON HEZBOLLAH’S FUNDING
Last week, Israel and Lebanon extended their ceasefire agreement by 45 days, continuing to reduce tensions from a conflict in southern Lebanon that escalated months ago following U.S. and Israeli military actions against Iran.
State Department spokesperson Tommy Pigott announced the department will offer up to $10 million for intelligence that helps disrupt the militant organization’s financial operations.
“This is only the beginning. Anyone still shielding or collaborating with this terrorist organization, or otherwise undermining Lebanon’s sovereignty, should understand that they will be held accountable,” Pigott stated.
“A stable, secure, and independent Lebanon requires the full disarmament of Hezbollah and the restoration of the Lebanese government’s exclusive authority over security matters throughout the country.”
The Treasury Department identified the following individuals as targets of Thursday’s sanctions:
– Mohamed Abdel-Mottaleb Fanich, who directs Hezbollah’s executive council.
– Hassan Nizammeddine Fadlallah, a parliamentary member representing Hezbollah since 2005, who collaborated with Al Nour Radio and Al Manar TV, both previously sanctioned by the U.S.
– Ibrahim al-Moussawi, who directs Hezbollah’s media operations and serves as the group’s parliamentary representative.
– Hussein Al-Hajj Hassan, who has served as Hezbollah’s parliamentary representative since 1996.
– Mohammad Reza Sheibani, Iran’s ambassador designate to Lebanon, whom Lebanon’s Foreign Ministry declared persona non grata after withdrawing approval of his appointment and ordering his departure from Beirut.
– Ahmad Asaad Baalbaki and Ali Ahmad Safawi, both security leaders within the Amal Movement, a political partner and security collaborator of Hezbollah. Safawi commands the Lebanese Amal militia in southern Lebanon and directed its forces in combined Hizballah-Amal military operations against Israel.
– Brigadier General Khattar Nasser Eldin, director of the Lebanese General Directorate for General Security, for sharing intelligence with Hezbollah.
– Colonel Samir Hamadi, a high-ranking Lebanese intelligence officer.
