Washington: The US Treasury Department imposed sanctions on individuals allegedly responsible for facilitating the transfer of tens of millions of dollars from Iran to Hezbollah. These transfers were reportedly conducted by "exploiting" Lebanon's cash-based financial sector through numerous money exchange companies.

According to Anadolu Agency, the Office of Foreign Assets Control has taken these steps to "support the disarmament" of the Lebanese resistance group, Hezbollah. The statement revealed that since January, Iran's Revolutionary Guards Corps' Quds Force has transferred over $1 billion to Hezbollah, primarily via money exchange companies.

The Treasury Department accused Hezbollah of using these companies and Lebanon's cash economy to launder illicit funds. This activity, it argues, threatens the integrity of Lebanon's financial system by intertwining terror financing with legitimate commercial activities.

Targeting Hezbollah's financial operators overseeing fund movements from Iran, the sanctions aim to cut off the financial lifeline between Hezbollah and Iran. "Lebanon has an opportunity to be free, prosperous, and secure-but that can only happen if Hizballah is fully disarmed and cut off from Iran's funding and control," stated John Hurley, the Under Secretary of the Treasury for Terrorism and Financial Intelligence.

The US State Department indicated that this action aligns with Washington's "maximum pressure against Iran" policy. It emphasized the US's commitment to supporting Lebanon by exposing and disrupting Iran's covert financing of Hezbollah, accusing Tehran of actions that undermine Beirut's sovereignty.

In addition to these sanctions, all properties and interests of the sanctioned individuals within the US or under the control of US persons are now blocked. Moreover, entities owned 50% or more by these blocked individuals are also subject to sanctions. The US reiterated its determination to employ every available mechanism to counter the group, asserting that "Iran and Hizballah cannot be allowed to keep Lebanon captive any longer."