The United States is imposing sanctions on Hezbollah-linked businessmen

The United States on Tuesday imposed sanctions on three businessmen linked to Hezbollah, saying their activities as financial intermediaries for the Iran-backed group were exploiting Lebanon’s financial resources in a time of crisis for the country, according to the Reuters.

The finance ministry added Adel Diab, Ali Mohamad Daoun, Jihad Salem Alame and their company Dar Al Salam for Travel & Tourism to the sanctions list, the ministry said in a statement.

“Through entrepreneurs such as those defined today, Hezbollah is gaining access to material and financial support through the legitimate trade sector to finance its terrorist activities and efforts to destabilize Lebanon’s political institutions,” the finance ministry said in a statement.

Lebanon’s economy has been in crisis since 2019, when it collapsed under a mountain of debt. Its currency fell to a new low last week and parts of the nation were plunged into poverty.

Lebanon’s cabinet will hold its first meeting in three months next week, local media reported on Monday after Hezbollah and another group, Amal, ended a boycott of the cabinet at the weekend.

The two groups, backed by several ministers, had boycotted the cabinet in a dispute over an investigation into a huge explosion in Beirut port in 2020.

The US Treasury Department said Tuesday’s ruling required that all assets belonging to the three men and their business in the United States be expropriated and that US citizens be barred from doing business with them or the company.

“The United States stands in solidarity with the Lebanese people, whose security and sovereignty continue to be threatened by Hezbollah’s corrupt and destabilizing activities,” said Secretary of State Anthony Blinken.