[71023] Storm in Lebanon following a round of American sanctions against Hezbollah and Amal officials

The Biden administration has imposed a new round of sanctions against nine individuals in Lebanon, including members of parliament from the Hezbollah bloc, senior officials in the Amal movement, military and general security officers, as well as the designated Iranian ambassador to Beirut, Mohammad Reza Shaybani. According to a report by TRT عربي, US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent justified the move by claiming that those sanctioned exploited their positions in state institutions to promote Hezbollah's influence and hinder efforts to disarm it.

In a sharp response, Hezbollah's 'Loyalty to the Resistance' bloc called the American step a "blatant aggression against Lebanon's sovereignty" and an attempt to "undermine the work of state institutions." Al-Mayadeen channel, known for its line aligned with the Axis of Resistance, emphasized that this is an "unjust decision" aimed at exerting pressure on official institutions in Lebanon.

The Iranian Foreign Ministry joined the condemnations, and according to reports on various channels, described the sanctions as a "shameful move" intended to sow fitna (internal conflict) in Lebanon. Sources identified with Hezbollah, as published on the 'Palestine Urgent News 24' channel, claimed it was an "attempt to intimidate the Lebanese people" and overt support for "Israeli aggression," while emphasizing that these measures would not deter the organization's leadership from continuing on its path.

At the same time, reports in the Lebanese media, including on the 'Beirut Time' website, noted that the sanctions come against the backdrop of accusations by Washington regarding the use of the Lebanese economy to fund Hezbollah's activities, a fact that deepens the diplomatic and economic tensions in the country.