The United States imposed on Thursday a new package of economic sanctions on Lebanese figures and entities linked to Hezbollah, accusing them of “obstructing the peace process” in Lebanon and “delaying the disarmament of the Iranian-backed Hezbollah.”
The US Treasury Department announced that the sanctions include three individuals and five entities linked to the party, most notably the head of the “Marada Movement,” former minister and MP Suleiman Frangieh, and the deputy head of Hezbollah’s political council, Mahmoud Qamati.
The ministry said in a statement that the individuals targeted by the sanctions “used their influence to obstruct the peace process in Lebanon and delay the disarmament of Hezbollah,” noting that the measures come within the framework of efforts to support stability and end conflicts in the region.
Lebanon has been engaged in negotiations with Israel since last April, under US auspices, which Hezbollah has rejected. The Lebanese government is seeking to end the repercussions of the war that erupted following the escalation of the confrontation between Hezbollah and Israel. While the intensity of the fighting has decreased since the announcement of the US-Iranian understanding, clashes have not ceased entirely.
The fifth round of Lebanese-Israeli negotiations is scheduled to take place next week in Washington.
Frangieh is a long-standing ally of Hezbollah, which supported him during the last presidential election before withdrawing from the race in early 2025, prior to the election of President Joseph Aoun. He is also known for his close ties to former Syrian President Bashar al-Assad.
Franjieh responded to the decision via the “X” platform, saying, “The American sanctions do not concern us in the slightest, especially since our only crime is standing with a segment of our own people against a Zionist enemy that occupies our land and kills our people.” He added, “We were and remain for peace, but against surrender, and this action will not affect our opinion; rather, it will only strengthen our conviction in it.”
As for Mahmoud Qamati, who previously served as a minister, after the 2023-2024 war with Israel he became one of the most prominent political spokespeople for Hezbollah.
Under the US sanctions, any assets of those targeted within the United States are frozen, and US citizens and companies are prohibited from conducting any financial or commercial transactions with them, under penalty of similar sanctions.
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