US unveils sanctions targeting Hezbollah funding
The Biden administration announced new sanctions Wednesday against three individuals and four companies with alleged ties to revenue streams for the Lebanese militant group Hezbollah.
A press release from the Department of Treasury said the individuals and companies were involved in a Lebanon-based sanctions evasion network that "generated millions of dollars in revenue" for Hezbollah, a U.S.-designated terrorist organization. The department's Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) is also targeting three others for the illegal production and trafficking of Captagon, "a dangerous, highly addictive amphetamine" that benefits the Syrian regime, the release said.
These penalties come as tension in the Middle East has been heightened amid targeted attacks between Iran-backed proxies — such as Hezbollah in Lebanon and Houthis in Yemen — and Israel, which is related to the ongoing war with Hamas in Gaza.
The three individuals and entities listed in the release were on Hezbollah's finance team, according to the release.
"These individuals are linked to Hizballah’s finance team and have registered companies in their own names in order to conceal Hizballah’s interest in the activities," the statement reads, using an alternate spelling for Hezbollah. "The companies in turn provide Hizballah potentially lucrative business opportunities while also providing them access the formal financial system."
OFAC imposed sanctions on entities allegedly generating profits for Hezbollah separately in January and September, the release noted.
“Today’s action underscores Hizballah’s destabilizing influence within Lebanon and on the wider region, as the group, its affiliates, and its supporters continue to finance their operations through covert involvement in commercial trade and the illicit trafficking of captagon," Acting Under Secretary of the Treasury for Terrorism and Financial Intelligence Bradley T. Smith said in the release.
"Treasury will continue to expose and disrupt the illicit schemes that underpin Hizballah’s ability to continue its violent attacks," Smith added.
Date: |
-
Top stories - The New York Times
Harris Campaign Unveils Policy Agenda Targeted at Black Men
The vice president released a plan to help Black men financially, held interviews with two Black media outlets and put out targeted ads in battleground states.2 days ago - Kamala Harris -
Business - Financial Times
Biggest US public pension fund Calpers invests in UK’s Octopus Energy
California retirement fund among investors drawn to power company for its software and green focus2 days ago -
World - The Guardian
Revealed: International ‘race science’ network secretly funded by US tech boss
Group promoting ‘dangerous’ scientific racism ideology teamed up with rightwing extremist, recordings reveal. An international network of “race science” activists seeking to influence public debate ...7 hours ago -
Business - Financial Times
Israel assures US that retaliation against Iran will target military
Oil prices fall on signs Benjamin Netanyahu plans to avoid energy sector and nuclear sitesYesterday - Iran -
Tech - ABC News
Cyber criminals increasingly helping Russia and China target the US, Microsoft says
Russia, China and Iran are expanding their partnerships with cyber criminals to conduct cyberespionage and cyberattacks against the U.S. and other nations, according to a new report from MicrosoftYesterday - China -
World - The Guardian
Middle East crisis live: US warns Israel it will withhold arms funding if Gaza aid doesn’t improve
US state department confirms reports that secretary of state and defense secretary warned Israel . See all our Middle East coverage here Israeli military strikes killed at least 40 ...Yesterday - Israel -
World - The Guardian
Middle East live: Four Israeli soldiers killed in Hezbollah drone attack; US to send antimissile system to Israel
US to deploy Terminal High-Altitude Area Defense battery and associated crew to help ally . See all our coverage of the Israel-Gaza war Iran has “no red lines” when it comes to defending its ...2 days ago - Israel -
World - The Guardian
Hezbollah drone attack kills four IDF soldiers as US prepares to send missile system to Israel
Strike on base near Binyamina city is deadliest since Israel’s ground invasion of Lebanon, and follows rare US commitment to deploy Thaad battery to Israel. See all our Middle East coverage A ...2 days ago - Israel -
Politics - The Hill
Zelensky unveils anticipated 'Victory Plan' for Ukraine war
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on Wednesday publicly unveiled his “Victory Plan” for Ukraine’s defensive war against Russia, following closed-door pitches with world leaders and including ...5 hours ago - Ukraine
More from The Hill
-
Politics - The Hill
Harris enters unfriendly territory
Welcome to The Hill's Campaign newsletter {beacon} Campaign Report Campaign Report The Big Story Harris enters unfriendly territory Vice President Harris is entering unfriendly territory with a ...5 minutes ago - Kamala Harris -
Politics - The Hill
Washington lawmakers press Boeing, union to resolve monthlong strike
Four Democratic lawmakers from the state of Washington this week urged Boeing and the union representing striking machinists around Seattle and Portland, Ore., to resolve the labor dispute. Around ...33 minutes ago -
Politics - The Hill
Supreme Court declines to block Biden's climate rule for power plants — for now
The Supreme Court on Wednesday declined to block a Biden administration rule setting climate standards for power plants — but hinted it could take up the case at a later time. The high court ...58 minutes ago - Climate -
Politics - The Hill
Allred backs oil in bid to take down Cruz
Welcome to The Hill's Sustainability newsletter {beacon} Sustainability Sustainability The Big Story Allred backs oil in bid to take down Cruz In Texas’ tight and acrimonious Senate race, there ...1 hour ago -
Politics - The Hill
Pentagon confirms 'incursions' of unauthorized drones over Air Force base
The Pentagon has confirmed a number of “unauthorized” drone flights last year in restricted airspace over a Virginia base that houses the nation’s most advanced fighter jets. The Wall Street ...1 hour ago