WASHINGTON, — May 21, 2026 : The United States Department of the Treasury on Thursday announced sanctions against nine individuals accused of supporting Hezbollah and undermining Lebanon’s sovereignty through political, diplomatic, and security networks linked to the Iran-backed group.
The sanctions target four Hezbollah members of parliament, two senior Lebanese security officials, and Iran’s ambassador to Lebanon. According to the Treasury Department, the designated individuals used their official positions inside Lebanon’s political and security institutions to facilitate Hezbollah’s activities and obstruct efforts aimed at restoring state authority and stability.
The sanctioned Hezbollah parliamentarians are Hassan Fadlallah, Ibrahim al-Mousawi, Hussein al-Hajj Hassan, and Mohammad Fanich. U.S. officials alleged that the lawmakers helped expand Hezbollah’s political influence while supporting the group’s broader operational objectives inside Lebanon.
The Treasury Department also imposed sanctions on Lebanese security officials Samir Hamada and Khattar Nasser el-Din. U.S. authorities accused the two officials of abusing their institutional authority and access within Lebanon’s security apparatus to benefit Hezbollah and protect the group’s operational infrastructure.
Iran’s Ambassador to Lebanon, Mohammad Reza Sheibani, was also included in the sanctions package. The Treasury accused Sheibani of coordinating Iranian support for Hezbollah and interfering in Lebanon’s internal affairs in violation of diplomatic norms and Lebanese sovereignty.
The U.S. designation follows recent action by Lebanese authorities, who withdrew Sheibani’s diplomatic accreditation and declared him persona non grata after accusing him of violating diplomatic conventions and interfering in domestic political matters.
In a statement released alongside the sanctions announcement, U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said Hezbollah continues to obstruct Lebanon’s path toward stability and reconstruction by maintaining its armed structure and influence within state institutions.
“Hezbollah is a terrorist organization and must be fully disarmed,” Bessent said.
He further stated that the Treasury Department would continue targeting officials and individuals accused of enabling Hezbollah’s activities and supporting the group’s operations inside Lebanon.
Under the sanctions, all property and financial interests belonging to the designated individuals that fall under U.S. jurisdiction are blocked. The measures also prohibit U.S. citizens and entities from engaging in transactions or business dealings with them.
According to the Treasury Department, Hezbollah relies on political allies and loyalists positioned within Lebanon’s government and security agencies to preserve its military and logistical networks outside the authority of the Lebanese Armed Forces. U.S. officials stated that these networks assist Hezbollah in bypassing financial oversight, maintaining supply routes, and exerting influence over state institutions.
The sanctions are part of broader U.S. efforts to increase pressure on Hezbollah and its regional support structure. The United States has repeatedly accused Iran of providing financial, military, and logistical support to Hezbollah, which Washington officially designates as a terrorist organization.
U.S. officials stated that the latest measures are intended to support Lebanon’s sovereignty, strengthen the authority of state institutions, and counter activities that undermine peace, reconstruction, and long-term stability in the country.
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