US sanctions Hezbollah-aligned officials over alleged obstruction of peace process

The United States imposed sanctions on Thursday against two prominent Lebanese officials and companies linked to a business magnate, accusing them of obstructing the country's peace process and delaying the disarmament of Hezbollah. The move targets key figures allegedly working against international efforts to stabilize the region.

Among those designated are Sleiman Frangieh, the leader of the Marada political movement and a long-time ally of Hezbollah, who has been endorsed by the group for the presidency. The U.S. Treasury alleges Frangieh used his political ties to further his party's parliamentary goals. Also sanctioned is Mahmud Qamati, a high-ranking Hezbollah political bureau member and prominent spokesperson, accused of coordinating "cash smuggling from Iran" for the group.

These sanctions come as the disarmament of Hezbollah remains a critical demand from the United States and Israel. Lebanon's government has ordered the powerful Shiite group to lay down its weapons, a directive Hezbollah has rejected. The group is currently engaged in conflict with Israeli forces in southern Lebanon, despite a recent U.S.-brokered peace deal between the U.S. and Iran aimed at ending hostilities.

In addition to Frangieh and Qamati, the U.S. Treasury sanctioned associates of Lebanese businessman Alaa Hamieh, who was previously sanctioned in March. Hamieh's company, Globe Technology Providers, is described as the "technical arm" of Hezbollah-linked Al-Ahd Company for Trade and Investment, also designated in this latest round of sanctions.