The US has imposed sanctions on nine people in Lebanon accused of blocking the peace process and impeding efforts to disarm Hezbollah.
Among those under sanctions are Hezbollah-affiliated MPs, state security officials and allies of the group.
"These Hezbollah-aligned officials include individuals embedded across Lebanon’s parliament, military and security sectors, where they seek to preserve the Iran-backed terrorist group’s influence over key Lebanese state institutions," the Treasury Department said as it announced the sanctions, accusing the group of undermining state authority.
It appears to be the first time the US has imposed sanctions on current Lebanese state security officials.
Hezbollah called the sanctions a "badge of honour" and a "blatant attempt to intimidate our official security institutions" before Israeli-Lebanese meetings at the Pentagon.
National Security Department chief Brig Gen Khattar Eldin and Col Samir Hamadi, chief of the Lebanese Armed Forces' Intelligence Directorate Dahieh branch, are accused of providing Hezbollah with "illicit support", including "important intelligence" amid the conflict between Lebanon and Israel.
Others named in the sanctions include Mohamed Fanich, a former cabinet minister and senior Hezbollah official, as well as Hezbollah MPs Hassan Fadlallah, Ibrahim Al Moussawi and Hussein Hassan.
Iran's ambassador-designate to Lebanon, Mohammad Reza Sheibani, is also named, as are security officials Ahmad Baalbaki and Ali Safawi, both with the Hezbollah-aligned Amal Movement.
“Hezbollah is a terrorist organisation and must be fully disarmed,” Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said. “Treasury will continue to take action against officials who have infiltrated the Lebanese government and are enabling Hezbollah to wage its senseless campaign of violence against the Lebanese people and obstruct lasting peace.”
Pressure is increasing on Beirut to take decisive action to disarm the group.
Meanwhile, Israel and Lebanon continue talks on a permanent ceasefire, as Hezbollah and Israeli forces continue to exchange fire in southern Lebanon.
