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US sanctions Lebanese lawmakers, security officials over Hezbollah ...
Move marks first time US has sanctioned sitting Lebanese state security officials, alleging they gave ‘illicit support’ and intelligence to terror group 21 May 2026, 10:30 pm Edit WASHINGTON — A group of Hezbollah-affiliated parliamentarians, state security officials and allies of the terror group were hit with US sanctions Thursday, for allegedly seeking to preserve the Iran-backed group’s influence over Lebanese state institutions and obstruct disarmament efforts. It’s the first time Washington has sanctioned sitting Lebanese state security officials, one from the country’s General Security agency and the other from the military intelligence, both of them accused of providing Hezbollah with “illicit support” and intelligence during the ongoing conflict. The announcement comes as pressure mounts on Beirut to take more decisive action in disarming the group. Included in Thursday’s sanctions are former cabinet minister and senior Hezbollah official Mohammed Fneish, senior Hezbollah parliamentarians Hassan Fadlallah, Ibrahim al-Moussawi and Hussein Hajj Hassan. All have pushed against efforts for disarmament. 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. Get The Times of Israel's Daily Edition by email and never miss our top stories By signing up, you agree to the terms The US Treasury Department accuses the men of undermining Lebanon’s ability to disarm the Iranian-backed Shiite terror organization. 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 that flared up again after Hezbollah opened fire on Israel in support of Iran. Displaced residents wave a flag with the image of Hezbollah leader Naim Qassem as they return to their villages following a ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah, in Zefta, southern Lebanon, April 17, 2026. (AP Photo/Hassan Ammar) Military officials from both sides are expected to hold their first direct talks in 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 to 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, Lebanon’s health ministry said. Hezbollah has dismissed the ongoing talk...
US Sanctions Reach Lebanon's Security Institutions Amid Hezbollah ...
US sanctions on Hezbollah officials are no longer being viewed in Beirut as a routine financial measure targeting political figures alone, but as part of a broader American shift toward confronting influence inside Lebanese state institutions, particularly within the military and security establishment.Washington’s latest sanctions are no longer being viewed in Beirut as a routine financial measure targeting figures linked to Hezbollah alone, but rather as part of a broader political and security shift in the way the United States is approaching influence inside Lebanese state institutions — particularly within the country’s military and security apparatus.With two active officers from the Lebanese Army and General Security now sanctioned for the first time, questions are growing over whether Washington has entered a new phase of pressure targeting what it considers Hezbollah’s influence within the structure of the Lebanese state, amid escalating regional tensions and mounting pressure tied to the implementation of UN Resolution 1701 and negotiations surrounding southern Lebanon.The US move comes at an exceptionally sensitive moment for both Lebanon and the wider region, where issues related to southern Lebanon, the role of the Lebanese Army, and future security coordination intersect with broader American pressure campaigns targeting Iran and its regional allies, alongside growing discussion surrounding Middle East negotiations linked to Lebanon and regional security arrangements.📌 Key takeaways from the latest US sanctions:Political and security figures linked to Hezbollah in Lebanon were targeted.Lebanese Army and General Security officers were sanctioned for the first time.The sanctions carry direct US messages regarding influence inside Lebanese state institutions.The measures indirectly connect to southern Lebanon and Resolution 1701.US pressure is intensifying alongside upcoming security negotiations.An unprecedented move inside Lebanon’s security institutionsThe most striking aspect of the latest US sanctions is that they did not stop at politicians and Hezbollah-linked officials, but extended into Lebanon’s official security institutions — a move many observers describe as a major shift in Washington’s approach toward Lebanon.The sanctions targeted General Security Brigadier General Khattar Nassereddine and Lebanese Army officer Samer Hamadeh, amid US accusations that they provided support or intelligence benefiting Hezbollah during the recent es...
What are the implications of US sanctions in Lebanon?
Inside StoryNine people targeted, including Lebanese military officers.As Israel keeps up its attacks on Lebanon despite a ceasefire, the United States has sanctioned nine people, including two Lebanese military officers, accused of links to Hezbollah.It comes while Washington brokers more talks between Lebanese and Israeli officials.So, why these sanctions now?Presenter: Scott McLeanGuests:David Wood – Senior Lebanon analyst at the International Crisis GroupRanda Slim – Middle East programme director at the US-based Stimson CenterElijah Magnier – Specialist in Middle East wars and regional military dynamicsPublished On 22 May 2026
What are the implications of US sanctions in Lebanon? | Inside Story
2 hours ago ... As Israel keeps up its attacks on Lebanon despite a ceasefire, the US has sanctioned nine people including two Lebanese military officers accused of links ...
