Published on 6/18/2026
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Last update: 6/19/2026 01:59 (Mecca time)
On Thursday, the US government announced the imposition of a new package of sanctions targeting Lebanese officials, along with members and companies linked to businessman Alaa Hassan Hamiyah, who in turn is subject to previous US sanctions.
Washington justified this measure by claiming that there was evidence of their involvement in “obstructing the path of peace in Lebanon” and working to disrupt efforts aimed at disarming Hezbollah.
The US Treasury Department explained, in a statement, that its Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) will include additional individuals on sanctions lists in Lebanon, Syria, Iraq, and Oman.
The Ministry indicated that these individuals and entities are accused of acting as a link in a network to collect funds, and managing fictitious companies whose essence aims to provide financial returns and provide logistical support for Hezbollah.
Among the individuals and entities included in the sanctions are:
- Suleiman Antoine Franjieh, leader of the Lebanese Marada Movement, as the Treasury Department stated that he received financial support from Hezbollah in exchange for helping the group target parliamentary seats held by reformist and independent representatives in the Lebanese parliamentary elections.
- Mahmoud Qamati, deputy head of Hezbollah’s political council, who the Treasury Department said coordinated money smuggling operations from Iran for the party.
- Globe Sarl, the technology arm of the Syria-based Hezbollah-linked Al-Ahed Trade and Investment Company, was charged over its links to the business network of the sanctioned Alaa Hamiyah.
- Al-Shifa Administrative Services Company and its CEO, Wael Constantine, due to their association with Alaa Hamiya.
In his first reaction to the American list, Suleiman Franjieh commented through his account on the “X” platform: “The American sanctions do not concern us, neither from near nor from afar, especially since our accusation is that we are with a component of our country against a Zionist enemy that occupies our land and kills our people. We were and still are for peace, but against surrender, and this behavior will not affect our opinion, but rather increases our conviction in it.”
Previous penalties
Washington had previously imposed sanctions on businessman Alaa Hassan Hamiya and his network of 16 individuals and entities in March 2026, after accusing them of managing companies and transfers for the benefit of the Lebanese group.
Under these punitive measures, the US Treasury imposes a comprehensive freeze on all assets and financial interests of the targets within the United States, or those that are under the control of US persons.
The decision also includes an absolute ban on American individuals and companies from conducting any commercial or financial transactions with these individuals and entities listed on the list.
Following the announcement of other sanctions last month, Hezbollah considered these measures to be an “intimidation” tactic practiced by the US Departments of State and Treasury, and saw it as an attempt to impose hegemony over the national decision, and to intimidate the Lebanese delegation leaving for Washington’s security consultations.
Israel’s stubbornness and Hezbollah’s weapons
US Treasury Secretary Scott Bescent said that Hezbollah must disarm so that Lebanon can achieve a secure future. He added in a statement: “The Treasury Department will continue to target Hezbollah’s financial networks and hold accountable anyone who enables the group to undermine the Lebanese state and threaten the prospects for lasting peace.”
The American decision would lead to further complications within Lebanon in light of Hezbollah’s reservations regarding the extent of Israel’s commitment to the agreement to stop the war between the United States and Israel and the reference contained in one of the provisions of the memorandum of understanding, to end the fighting on all fronts, including Lebanon, while “ensuring its territorial integrity and sovereignty.”
Israel rejects calls to withdraw its forces from southern Lebanon. Jonathan Reinhold, a senior researcher at Israel’s Bar-Ilan University, said the Iran war deal appears to leave Israel some “room to maneuver.”
He added in his comment, “The reference to Lebanon’s territorial integrity and sovereignty certainly means that Israel must withdraw… However, it also indicates that Hezbollah should not be in possession of weapons because that constitutes a threat to the sovereignty of the Lebanese government.”
For his part, Lebanese Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri stressed, on Thursday, Hezbollah’s commitment to the ceasefire as long as Israel adheres to it “fully and comprehensively,” in an effort to facilitate the success of the Iranian-American negotiations in Switzerland, especially with regard to the first item in the memorandum of understanding. He also referred to US President Donald Trump’s statement regarding the ceasefire between Israel, Lebanon, and Hezbollah.
