In high-level Beirut talks, American officials demand action to block Iranian financing, while Lebanon’s president calls for restraint from Israel after deadly strikes.
BEIRUT – A senior US counterterrorism delegation held critical talks in Beirut on Sunday, pushing Lebanese authorities to dismantle the financial networks fueling Hezbollah, as fresh Israeli strikes raised tensions along the southern border.
The visit, led by senior director Sebastian Gorka, followed Washington’s move to sanction three Hezbollah members for allegedly funneling tens of millions of dollars from Iran. The US Treasury claims Iran’s Revolutionary Guards have transferred over $1 billion to the group since the start of the year, primarily through money exchange firms.
Lebanese President Michel Aoun sought to reassure the delegation, stating that his country “strictly applies measures… to prevent money laundering, smuggling, or its use in financing terrorism.” He emphasized that Lebanon “severely punishes financial crimes of all kinds.”
However, the dialogue unfolded against a backdrop of renewed violence. As officials met, Israeli strikes in southern Lebanon killed two people, bringing the death toll from recent attacks to five. Aoun appealed for international “pressure on Israel to stop its ongoing attacks,” highlighting the complex dual crises facing the nation.
The US has framed the financial crackdown as essential for Lebanon’s sovereignty. “Lebanon has an opportunity to be free, prosperous and secure — but that can only happen if Hezbollah is fully disarmed and cut off from Iran’s funding and control,” Deputy Director John Hurley stated last week, signaling that US pressure will persist.
