Beirut [Lebanon], August 21 (ANI): Hezbollah on Friday rejected the US administration's claim that the Lebanese rebel group operates under the control of Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps-Quds Force (IRGC-QF), describing Washington's latest sanctions action as part of a broader campaign against the group and its supporters.
The statement came after the US Department of the Treasury and State announced additional sanctions targeting Hezbollah and a network it said was responsible for transferring large amounts of cash to the group. According to the US Treasury, its Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) designated 10 individuals linked to the network that allegedly transfers cash to Hezbollah. The network uses couriers travelling on commercial airline flights between Lebanon, Turkiye, the UAE and Iran to move up to hundreds of millions of dollars between jurisdictions, providing an avenue outside the formal financial system for Hezbollah to obtain foreign currency and evade sanctions, the US said.
The US Treasury also said it was redesignating Hezbollah "for service to the Iranian regime under the command of Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps-Qods Force (IRGC-QF)."
In a statement issued in response to announcements by the US Treasury and State Departments, Hezbollah said Washington was attempting to justify its decision to redesignate the group by linking it to the Quds Force.
"Yesterday, the US administration, through the US Treasury and State Departments, claimed that Hezbollah is under the control of the Quds Force, in order to justify its re-inclusion on the sanctions list," Hezbollah said.
The group described the decision as "nothing more than a link in the chain" of US policies targeting Hezbollah and said the measures were aimed at increasing political, financial and security pressure on the group and its supporters.
Hezbollah further accused Washington of seeking to protect Israel and consolidate its occupation of southern Lebanon, while alleging that the sanctions were intended to create internal tensions in Lebanon and divert attention from confrontation with Israel.
The group also rejected any suggestion that its relationship with Iran undermines its Lebanese identity, saying it "does not need anyone to validate its Lebanese identity and patriotism."
"Our close and fraternal relationship with the Islamic Republic of Iran is one we cherish and are proud of, for it stood with Lebanon, supported it, and assisted it in liberating its land and restoring its sovereignty and rights," Hezbollah said.
The group also defended its record of resistance and cited the sacrifices of its members and its role in confronting occupation and defending Lebanese territory.
Hezbollah criticised the US for using sanctions as a tool of foreign policy and questioned Washington's authority to classify organisations and judge their patriotism.
The group also accused the US administration of supporting Israel and violating international law, while referring to US military interventions and policies in countries including Vietnam, Afghanistan and Iraq.
"All these unjust sanctions and classifications will not deter us from adhering to the option of resistance and the right of Lebanon and the Lebanese to defend their land, sovereignty and resources," Hezbollah said.
The latest US action comes amid continuing tensions involving Hezbollah, Israel, Lebanon and Iran, with Washington maintaining sanctions and financial pressure against the group.
Hezbollah, meanwhile, said the latest sanctions and classifications would not change its position or its commitment to what it described as resistance and Lebanon's right to defend its territory and sovereignty. (ANI)
Hezbollah slams US over re-designation linked to Iran's IRGC-Quds Force, rejects Washington's claims
