U.S. Department of the Treasury building in Washington D.C. [AFP Yeonhap News]

The U.S. Department of the Treasury's Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) announced on the 20th (local time) that it has designated a network of 16 individuals and entities as sanctioned for financing the terror funds of the pro-Iranian armed group Hezbollah in Lebanon.

OFAC identified Ala'a Hamieh, the deputy director of the Investment Development Authority of Lebanon, as the person who oversaw the network. OFAC pointed out that this network, controlled by his family and associates, has been laundering and financing funds for Hezbollah's finance team.

It is also estimated that the network is spread across not only Lebanon but also Syria, Poland, Slovenia, Qatar, and Canada. The network has been involved in numerous economic projects and is estimated to have siphoned off more than $100 million in funds since 2020.

U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessant stated, "Iran is the head of the snake in international terrorism, and proxy forces like Hezbollah carry out Iran's mission to sow chaos and destruction across borders." He added, "This measure targets key individuals within the global financial network that sustains Hezbollah's armed activities."

Deputy State Department Spokesperson Tomy Figot stated in a statement, "The United States aims to limit Hezbollah's ability to finance terrorism and evade sanctions by cutting off these financial channels." He added, "Hezbollah continues to spend millions of dollars on terrorist activities, and Lebanese civilians are paying the price and are deprived of normal lives."