US Hits Hezbollah with Fresh Sanctions

The US imposed fresh sanctions on Hezbollah on Thursday, including redesignating the Lebanese group “for service to the Iranian regime under the command of Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps-Quds Force”.

A US official said the redesignation was intended to emphasize that Hezbollah, both an armed group and a political party in Lebanon, acts on behalf of the Iranian government and specifically the Quds Force.

The sanctions are meant to disrupt Hezbollah’s funding networks through measures including asset freezes, restrictions on banking transactions and prohibitions on providing goods, services and material support. Ten people accused of smuggling cash for Hezbollah were also designated, including a Turkish businessman who, according to Washington, manages a network of couriers moving money between countries in the region and Hezbollah’s base in Lebanon.

The businessman allegedly used Turkey-based exchange houses as fronts and provided front companies and bank accounts for transfers linked to the Quds Force.

A US official said Thursday’s action was separate from new measures Washington has pledged to take against Iran. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said he would hold a press conference on Monday about what he called “the toughest sanctions in history” that Washington plans to impose on Tehran.

On Wednesday, President Donald Trump warned of economic consequences for any country providing “any type of lifeline to Iran”, as the US seeks to end the war it began alongside Israel nearly six months ago.

Iran’s Revolutionary Guards founded Hezbollah in 1982 during Lebanon’s civil war. Washington designated the group a foreign terrorist organization in 1997 and a Specially Designated Global Terrorist in 2001. Hezbollah also operates social services in Lebanon, including schools and hospitals.

(Reuters, max)