The US Treasury Department revealed its intention to exploit a "golden opportunity" in Lebanon to cut off Iranian funding to Hezbollah and pressure the group to disarm, a step that is part of the US strategy to reduce Iranian influence in the region.
John Hurley, Under Secretary of the US Treasury for Terrorism and Financial Intelligence, explained in an interview with Reuters last Friday evening that Iran was able to transfer about a billion dollars to Hezbollah during the year 2025, despite the harsh Western sanctions that severely damaged its economy. Hurley affirmed that the United States is continuing to implement a campaign of "maximum pressure" on Tehran to limit its nuclear activity and regional influence, noting that Hezbollah's power declined in Lebanon after the war it fought against Israel between 2023 and 2024, which weakened its military arsenal. Washington also recently imposed new sanctions on two people accused of facilitating financial operations for the party. The American official added, "There is a real opportunity now in Lebanon, if we succeed in cutting off Iranian financial support, the Lebanese people can regain control of their country," stressing that limiting Iranian influence begins by stopping the flow of funds to Hezbollah. His statements came on the sidelines of a regional tour that included Turkey, Lebanon, the UAE, and Israel, aimed at enhancing international coordination in confronting Iranian activities in the Middle East.
