Key facts
- The U.S. is imposing new sanctions on Hezbollah.
- Hezbollah is being re-designated as a Specially Designated Global Terrorist.
- The sanctions highlight Hezbollah's links to Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps-Qods Force.
- Ten individuals accused of smuggling cash for Hezbollah have also been sanctioned.
The United States is implementing fresh sanctions against Lebanon's Hezbollah, aiming to underscore the group's deep connections with the Iranian government. The Treasury Department is re-designating Hezbollah as a Specially Designated Global Terrorist, specifically citing its role as a service provider to the Iranian regime under the command of Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps-Qods Force. This re-designation, while not under a new authority, serves to update the public record and highlight Hezbollah's actions on behalf of Iran's IRGC-Qods Force. Hezbollah was initially designated under this authority in 2001 and is also recognized by the U.S. as a Foreign Terrorist Organization. In addition to targeting Hezbollah directly, the U.S. also designated a group of ten individuals accused of facilitating cash smuggling for the organization. These measures are distinct from broader actions planned against Iran. U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent indicated that the administration intends to impose what he described as "the toughest sanctions in history" on Iran, with a press conference scheduled for Monday.