An American source told Al Arabiya and Al Hadath on Thursday that the U.S. Treasury Department has broadened the legal basis for imposing sanctions on Hezbollah by linking them to Iran's sanctions, thereby enhancing Washington's ability to target the group's financial networks.
The source stated that the expanded sanctions against Hezbollah aim to empower the Lebanese state and help ensure that weapons remain under its sole control, arguing that associating the group with Iranian sanctions bolsters the Lebanese government's position.
Linking Hezbollah to Iran has expanded Washington's capability to target the group's associated financial networks, according to the source, who emphasized that the new measures are directed at increasing pressure on Hezbollah's funding sources without affecting Lebanese state institutions.
Masoud Boulos, a senior advisor to President Donald Trump for Arab, Middle Eastern, and African affairs, underscored that Iran uses Hezbollah to destabilize and undermine Lebanon's sovereignty. He noted that the reclassification of the group reflects Washington's determination to disrupt terrorist financing networks.
Meanwhile, the U.S. State Department confirmed Thursday evening that the sanctioned network helped fund Hezbollah.
The State Department elaborated that the network transferred funds to Hezbollah through commercial flights. The Treasury's actions against the group were taken under counterterrorism authority.
The State Department emphasized that there is "no retreat in targeting Hezbollah's financial support networks."
On Thursday, the United States announced plans to impose new sanctions targeting the Lebanese Hezbollah group, including their reclassification under terrorism-related authority to emphasize their connection to the Iranian regime.
The U.S. also listed ten individuals accused of smuggling cash for Hezbollah under the sanctions list.
Although the group is not classified under any new authority, the Treasury Department stated it would reclassify it as a "specially designated global terrorist entity" due to its service to the Iranian regime under the leadership of the Quds Force of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps.