The US Treasury Department on Thursday issued fresh sanctions targeting Lebanon’s Hezbollah, redesignating the group as acting on behalf of the Iranian government under the command of Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps-Quds Force.
The redesignation goes beyond Hezbollah’s existing designations as a Foreign Terrorist Organization since 1997 and a Specially Designated Global Terrorist since 2001. A US official, speaking on condition of anonymity, told Al Arabiya that the move was intended to demonstrate Hezbollah is acting directly on behalf of the Iranian government, specifically its Quds Force – the IRGC unit responsible for extraterritorial operations.
Turkish Businessman Targeted in Cash Network
The sanctions also designated 10 individuals accused of smuggling cash for Hezbollah, with a Turkish businessman at the center of the action. Treasury described him as managing a network of couriers moving money between countries in the region and Hezbollah’s base in Lebanon. According to the statement, he used Turkey-based exchange houses as fronts and provided front companies and bank accounts for money transfers connected with the Quds Force.
Several couriers were also targeted in the enforcement action. Iran’s IRGC founded Hezbollah in 1982 during Lebanon’s 1975-90 civil war as part of Tehran’s effort to export its 1979 Islamic Revolution and fight Israeli forces that had invaded southern Lebanon.
Separate From Iran Sanctions Push
A US official emphasized that Thursday’s Hezbollah sanctions are not part of the new sweeping economic measures the US has vowed to impose on Iran more broadly. However, the timing carries significance as it comes just one day after President Trump declared an “ECONOMIC D-DAY” against Tehran and as Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent announced plans for a Monday press conference unveiling what he called “the toughest sanctions in history” against the Islamic Republic.
The Jerusalem Post reported that the actions reflect Washington’s broader strategy of targeting Iran’s regional proxy networks alongside the direct sanctions on Tehran’s financial infrastructure.
Hezbollah operates both as a political party and an armed group in Lebanon, running its own social services including schools and hospitals with solid backing among the country’s Shia Muslim community. Sanctions seek to disrupt funding networks and isolate targets by imposing asset freezes, banning banks from dealing with named entities, and prohibiting the flow of goods, services, and material support.
Sources: Reuters via Al Arabiya; Jerusalem Post
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