The U.S. Treasury Department imposed sanctions on nine Hezbollah-affiliated Lebanese officials on Thursday, accusing them of undermining Lebanon’s peace process and obstructing the disarmament of the militant group. This marks the first time Washington has targeted sitting Lebanese state security officials, including one from the General Security agency and another from military intelligence, for allegedly providing Hezbollah with illicit support and intelligence.
The sanctions also include former cabinet minister and senior Hezbollah official Mohammed Fneish, as well as parliamentarians Hassan Fadlallah, Ibrahim al-Moussawi, and Hussein Hajj Hassan, all of whom have opposed disarmament efforts. Additionally, Mohammad Reza Sheibani, Iran’s ambassador designate to Lebanon, was sanctioned after being ordered to leave Beirut by Lebanon’s foreign ministry.
The move comes as Lebanese and Israeli officials hold low-level talks in Washington aimed at ending the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hezbollah. Military officials from both sides are expected to hold their first direct talks at the Pentagon on May 29. Israel has pressured Lebanon to disarm Hezbollah, while Beirut urges Israel to cease airstrikes and withdraw troops from southern Lebanon. On Tuesday, Israeli airstrikes in Lebanon killed at least 19 people, including four women and three children, according to Lebanon’s Health Ministry. Hezbollah has dismissed the ongoing talks.