WASHINGTON — The United States has imposed sanctions on nine individuals in Lebanon, including elected Hezbollah lawmakers and senior Lebanese security officials, accusing them of helping the Iran-backed group maintain influence over state institutions and obstructing efforts to disarm it.
The U.S. Treasury Department said the measures target Hezbollah figures, members of Lebanon’s parliament, security officials and Iran’s ambassador-designate to Lebanon. The sanctions freeze any assets the individuals may have under U.S. jurisdiction and generally bar Americans from doing business with them.
Among those sanctioned are Hezbollah MPs Hassan Fadlallah, Ibrahim al-Moussawi and Hussein Hajj Hassan, as well as former minister and senior Hezbollah official Mohammed Fneish. Washington accused them of using their political positions to advance Hezbollah’s agenda and resist pressure for the group to surrender its weapons.
The action also marks the first time the United States has sanctioned sitting Lebanese state security officials over alleged support for Hezbollah. Those targeted include Samir Hamadi, identified as a branch chief with the Lebanese Armed Forces, and Khattar Nasser Eldin, a senior official with Lebanon’s General Directorate for General Security. The Treasury accused them of sharing sensitive intelligence with Hezbollah over the past year.
Also sanctioned was Mohammad Reza Sheibani, Iran’s ambassador-designate to Lebanon, who had previously been declared persona non grata by Lebanese authorities. U.S. officials said his inclusion reflected Washington’s view that Tehran continues to play a central role in supporting Hezbollah’s political and military network.
The sanctions come as Washington increases pressure on Lebanon to curb Hezbollah’s power following months of regional tension involving Israel, Iran and armed groups aligned with Tehran. U.S. officials said lasting stability in Lebanon depends on restoring the state’s sole authority over weapons and security decisions.
Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said Hezbollah must be fully disarmed, describing the group as a terrorist organisation that continues to undermine Lebanon’s sovereignty. The United States has separately offered a reward of up to $10 million for information that helps disrupt Hezbollah’s financial networks.
Hezbollah has long rejected calls to disarm, arguing that its weapons are necessary to confront Israel. Its opponents inside Lebanon and abroad say the group’s military power weakens state authority and exposes the country to wider conflict.
The latest sanctions are likely to deepen political divisions in Lebanon, where the government is already under pressure to stabilise the economy, rebuild public institutions and manage security tensions along the southern border.
