US sanctions Hezbollah lawmakers, Lebanon security officials

The United States is expanding its campaign to tighten Hezbollah's global financial network with new sanctions targeting nine individuals, the US Treasury announced on May 22.

The Treasury said the designees were cited for 'obstructing the peace process in Lebanon and preventing the disarmament' of Hezbollah. The State Department specified that those sanctioned include Lebanese lawmakers, an Iranian diplomat, and security officials within Lebanese government institutions who have 'abused' their roles.

'The message is that if you are in the political, business, or security field, and you have facilitated Hezbollah, undermined the sovereignty of the Lebanese government — think again; there will be real consequences,' State Department spokesperson Tommy Pigott told Al Jazeera.

The sanctions list includes four Hezbollah members: Mohamed Abdel-Mottaleb Fanich, a leader in Hezbollah's executive council; Nizammeddine Fadlallah, an elected lawmaker of the group; and two veteran officials, Ibrahim al-Moussawi and Hussein Al-Hajj Hassan.

Iran's designated ambassador to Lebanon, Mohammad Reza Sheibani, was also named. Two security officials from the Amal Movement, which is allied with Hezbollah — Ahmad Asaad Baalbaki and Ali Ahmad Safawi — were targeted.

Two other security officials — Samir Hamadi, head of the Lebanese Armed Forces branch, and Khattar Nasser Eldin, a senior official of the General Directorate of General Security — were sanctioned for allegedly sharing 'critical intelligence' with Hezbollah over the past year.

The US also offered a reward of up to $10 million for information that helps 'dismantle the financial mechanism' of the group.

In response, Hezbollah said the sanctions were 'an attempt to intimidate the free people of Lebanon' and 'have absolutely no real impact on our strategic choices.' The group asserted: 'These sanctions are a badge of honor for those targeted and further confirmation of the righteousness of the path we have chosen.'

The new sanctions come as Israel continues to strike Lebanon with artillery and airstrikes, despite a ceasefire agreement recently extended for 45 days. On May 22, Israeli airstrikes targeted several towns in southern Lebanon, killing a motorcyclist in the Tyre district. Artillery fire was reported in Baraachit and Kfar Dounine, along with a drone strike on Yaroun.

Also in Tyre, a family was buried after an airstrike on May 20 on the town of Deir Qanoun en-Nahr killed at least 14 people. Hezbollah claimed a series of attacks on Israeli forces in southern Lebanon, including near Deir Siryan and Qouzah.

Lebanon's Health Ministry said Israeli attacks have killed at least 3,089 people and wounded 9,397 since March 2, when Israel resumed its war with the country.

Alongside this, the US is mediating between Israel and the Lebanese government. Political negotiations are expected to resume on June 2–3, while security talks are scheduled for May 29 at the Pentagon between Israeli and Lebanese military representatives.

Al Jazeera's Manuel Rapalo in Washington said the sanctions were 'part of an intensified effort' by the White House to 'crack down on individuals perceived to obstruct the disarmament of Hezbollah — one of the sticking points in negotiations.' Mr. Pigott said the US is 'focused on creating space for good-faith dialogues between the Lebanese government and Israel' and accused Hezbollah of 'trying to directly undermine these talks.'

Hezbollah has repeatedly rejected negotiations, sparking disagreements within Lebanon. The group says the sanctions aim to 'intimidate the official security institutions' ahead of the next round of talks and called on 'the Lebanese government to protect its constitutional, security, and military institutions.' Meanwhile, the Lebanese army confirmed that 'a military delegation will participate in the talks at the Pentagon' and affirmed its 'commitment to national principles and military doctrine.'