Hezbollah and Amal Condemn New U.S. Sanctions as Intimidation Bid

Hezbollah and the Amal Movement in Lebanon sharply condemned the latest U.S. sanctions, describing them as an attempt to intimidate the public and pressure political forces. Hezbollah said the measures would not change the correctness of its choices and called on the Lebanese authorities to defend their constitutional, security and military institutions. The Amal Movement said the Treasury’s sanctions on Ahmed Baalbeki and Ali es-Safavi were aimed at the movement’s role in national issues. It framed the move as a direct target on its political position rather than a response to specific conduct. The U.S. Treasury Department earlier announced sanctions against nine people accused of providing support to Hezbollah. In its statement, the department said they undermined Lebanon’s sovereignty and obstructed efforts to disarm Hezbollah. The Treasury also announced a reward of up to $10 million for information that would help dismantle Hezbollah’s financial networks. The sanctions and reward form part of Washington’s broader pressure campaign against the group and its support structures.