The United States has imposed sanctions on a group of Hezbollah-affiliated parliamentarians, state security officials, and allies of the militant group, accusing them of seeking to preserve the Iran-backed group's influence over Lebanese state institutions and obstruct disarmament efforts. This marks the first time Washington has sanctioned sitting Lebanese state security officials, targeting one from the country's General Security agency and another from military intelligence, both accused of providing Hezbollah with “illicit support” and intelligence during the ongoing conflict.
Sanctions Target Key Figures
Included in Thursday's sanctions are former cabinet minister and senior Hezbollah official Mohammed Fneish, along with senior Hezbollah parliamentarians Hassan Fadlallah, Ibrahim al-Moussawi, and Hussein Hajj Hassan. All have actively pushed against efforts for disarmament. Additionally, Mohammad Reza Sheibani, the Iranian Ambassador designate to Lebanon—who was ordered to leave Beirut by Lebanon's foreign ministry—was also hit with sanctions. The Treasury accuses these individuals of undermining Lebanon's ability to disarm the Iranian-backed Shiite militant organization.
Ongoing Talks and Conflict
The announcement comes as Lebanese and Israeli officials continue holding low-level talks in Washington in a bid to end the monthslong war between Israel and Hezbollah. Military officials from both sides are expected to hold their first direct talks at the Pentagon on May 29, as Israel mounts pressure on Lebanon to disarm the powerful group, and Beirut urges Israel to end its daily airstrikes and withdraw its troops from large swaths of southern Lebanon. Israeli airstrikes on Lebanon on Tuesday killed at least 19 people, including four women and three children, according to Lebanon's Health Ministry.
Hezbollah has dismissed the ongoing talks, instead backing Iran's negotiations with the US mediated by Pakistan. It rejects calls, both locally and internationally, for its disarmament. Lebanon’s president and prime minister, who came to power in early 2025 on a reformist platform, have vowed to disarm all non-state groups, including Hezbollah. Washington and Israel have been critical of the slow process, but the authorities fear a more confrontational approach could risk armed conflict in the tiny Mediterranean country.
Impact of Sanctions
The sanctions announced Thursday deny the parties access to any property or financial assets held in the US. It remains unclear what kind of ties they have with the US financial system. Hezbollah has been designated a “foreign terrorist organization” under the authority of the Antiterrorism and Effective Death Penalty Act since 1997. “Treasury will continue to take action against officials who have infiltrated the Lebanese government,” Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said in a statement, adding that Hezbollah has waged a “senseless campaign of violence against the Lebanese people.”
