US sanctions target Hezbollah allies and Lebanese officials

The United States imposed new sanctions on Thursday targeting individuals and entities it accuses of obstructing Lebanon's peace process and delaying the disarmament of the Iran-backed group Hezbollah. The Treasury Department's action focuses on political and security figures within Lebanon, marking a shift from previous measures that primarily targeted financial networks.

The sanctions designate nine individuals, including prominent Lebanese political figures and officials. Among those named are Sleiman Frangieh, leader of the Marada political movement and a longtime Hezbollah ally, and Mahmud Qamati, a senior member of Hezbollah's political bureau. The U.S. alleges Frangieh used his political alliance with Hezbollah to further his party's objectives, while Qamati is accused of coordinating cash smuggling from Iran for the group.

The designations also target associates of Lebanese business magnate Alaa Hamieh and companies linked to his network, including Lebanon-based Globe Technology Providers, which the Treasury described as the technical arm of a Syria-based, Hezbollah-linked firm. The sanctions freeze any U.S. assets of the designated individuals and prohibit American...