[71395] US imposes sanctions on Iranian ambassador to Lebanon and officials close to Hezbollah
[71395] US imposes sanctions on Iranian ambassador to Lebanon and officials close to Hezbollah
The Biden administration has imposed sanctions on nine individuals in Lebanon, including Iranian Ambassador Mohammad Reza Shibani, citing involvement in Hezbollah activities and the disruption of peace processes.
US imposes sanctions on officials identified with Hezbollah and the Iranian ambassador in Beirut
The US Department of the Treasury imposed sanctions this week on nine individuals in Lebanon, including the Iranian ambassador Mohammad Reza Shibani, claiming they are working to strengthen Hezbollah's influence in state institutions. According to a report by Iran International, which is identified with the Iranian opposition, the sanctions list includes members of parliament from the Hezbollah faction, senior officials in the Amal movement, as well as two officers in the Lebanese security and military apparatus, who are accused of "preventing the disarmament of Hezbollah."
In an official response, the Iranian Ministry of Foreign Affairs strongly condemned the American move. As published by the IRNA news agency, which is identified with the regime in Tehran, the ministry defined the sanctions as a "divisive" and "illegal" step, claiming that it is an attempt by the US to harm Lebanon's sovereignty and cooperate with Israel. Channels identified with the Revolutionary Guards, such as Sepah Pasdaran, also published similar condemnation messages.
The affair is deepening the diplomatic crisis created around the Iranian ambassador. The Lebanese government has previously declared Shibani a "persona non grata" and demanded that he leave the country, but according to reports in Deutsche Welle (DW) Persian, the ambassador refused to leave under the instructions of senior Hezbollah officials. Official figures in Lebanon, including the army headquarters, were quick to respond to reports of their officers' involvement and emphasized that "the loyalty of military personnel is to the military institution and the homeland alone," as reported in Al Arabiya channel.
Analyses by Iran International indicate that the American move reflects the growing international pressure on the government structures in Lebanon, which are reportedly under the "prolonged occupation" of actors supported by Iran.