Iranian Ambassador to Lebanon and a Number of Hezbollah MPs and Hajj Ahmad Baalbaki on the US Sanctions List

The United States announced the imposition of sanctions on nine individuals.

It said they are contributing to enabling Hezbollah to undermine Lebanon's sovereignty.

Sanctions were imposed on Amal Movement security official Ahmad Baalbaki, Ibrahim al-Moussawi, MP Hassan Fadlallah, Muhammad Abdul Muttalib Fneish, head of the Lebanese Army Intelligence Bureau in the southern suburb Colonel Samer Hamada, MP Hussein Ali al-Hajj Hassan, Brigadier General Khater Nasser al-Din, southern movement commander Ahmad Safawi, and Iranian diplomat Mohammad Reza Raouf Sheibani.

The US Treasury noted that the head of the National Security Department in General Security, Brigadier General Khater Nasser al-Din, and the head of the Southern Suburb branch in the Lebanese Army Intelligence Directorate, Colonel Samir Hammadi, shared important intelligence information with Hezbollah during the ongoing conflict over the past year.

It also noted that Ahmad Assad Baalbaki and Ali Ahmad Safawi are security officials in the Amal Movement, a political ally and security partner of Hezbollah, and Baalbaki is the security official in the Amal Movement, who coordinated public displays of force with Hezbollah leadership to intimidate Hezbollah's political opponents in Lebanon.

Washington considered that these individuals, through their support for the "terrorist organization," advance the Iranian regime's agenda in Lebanon and directly obstruct the path to peace and recovery for the Lebanese people.

It affirmed that Hezbollah's continued refusal to disarm prevents the Lebanese government from providing peace, stability, and prosperity.

It explained that the sanctions target individuals who obstruct the process of disarming the party, including MPs, an Iranian diplomat it said violates Lebanon's sovereignty, in addition to Lebanese security officials accused of exploiting their positions.

It also explained that Ali Ahmad Safawi, the Amal Movement commander in southern Lebanon, and as a subordinate to Baalbaki, Safawi coordinated with Hezbollah and received instructions from it regarding attacks against Israel, and also led Amal forces in joint military operations between Hezbollah and Amal against Israel.

It said: "Hezbollah relies on a network of political representatives, including members of parliament, to advance the group's interests and challenge the government's legitimate calls to disarm Hezbollah and respect state sovereignty."

It added: "Muhammad Abdul Muttalib Fneish leads Hezbollah's Executive Council, and is responsible for reorganizing the administrative and institutional structure, serving Hezbollah's mission to maintain an armed presence in Lebanon."

The United States stressed its commitment to supporting the Lebanese people and legitimate state institutions.

It pointed out that the US State Department's "Rewards for Justice" program offers a reward of up to $10 million for information leading to the disruption of Hezbollah's financial mechanisms.

The statement said: "This is only the beginning," warning that anyone who continues to protect this organization, cooperate with it, or undermine Lebanon's sovereignty "will be held accountable." Washington considered that achieving a stable, secure, and independent Lebanon requires the complete disarmament of Hezbollah and the restoration of the Lebanese government's exclusive authority over security files throughout the country.

The United States affirmed its readiness to assist the Lebanese people and the Lebanese government in charting a path towards a better, more peaceful, and prosperous future.