US sanctions 10 over alleged Hezbollah cash network

WASHINGTON: The United States has imposed sanctions on 10 individuals accused of helping transfer large amounts of cash to Hezbollah through an international network spanning Lebanon, Turkey, the United Arab Emirates and Iran, in the latest move by Washington to disrupt the group’s financial channels.

According to foreign media reports, the US Treasury Department targeted the individuals over their alleged role in a network that moved cash to Hezbollah using couriers travelling between several countries on commercial flights.

US authorities said the operation relied on individuals who physically transported money across borders, allowing funds to move through different jurisdictions while avoiding conventional banking channels.

The network allegedly facilitated the movement of hundreds of millions of dollars, highlighting the scale of the financial operations Washington says are linked to Hezbollah.

The latest sanctions are part of a broader US campaign aimed at disrupting the financial infrastructure supporting Hezbollah, which Washington has designated as a terrorist organisation. US authorities have previously targeted individuals, businesses, exchange companies and other entities accused of raising, laundering or transferring money on behalf of the group.

The Treasury’s broader assessments have described Hezbollah as maintaining a global financial network involving illicit activities, commercial enterprises and financial facilitators. Such networks can operate across multiple jurisdictions and use legitimate-looking businesses or intermediaries to move funds, making them difficult for authorities to trace.

Under the latest measures, the assets of the sanctioned individuals that are located in the United States or controlled by US persons will be blocked. US persons are generally prohibited from conducting transactions involving designated individuals, effectively cutting them off from the American financial system.

The sanctions could also create additional pressure on international financial institutions and businesses that have dealings with the targeted individuals. Banks and companies often conduct extensive compliance checks to avoid violating US sanctions, potentially making it harder for designated persons to access international financial services.

The move comes amid heightened tensions involving Hezbollah, Iran, Israel and the United States, with Washington continuing to focus on disrupting financial networks that it says provide resources to armed groups in the region.

US President Donald Trump has previously warned that Hezbollah could face renewed military action if the group is not stopped, adding another layer of pressure to Washington’s financial campaign.

For Hezbollah, the latest sanctions represent another challenge to its ability to move funds through international channels. For the United States, targeting cash couriers and financial intermediaries offers a way to disrupt funding networks without relying solely on military measures.

The latest action therefore sends a broader message: Washington is increasingly focusing not only on Hezbollah’s military capabilities but also on the money routes that allegedly keep its operations running.