The U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control announced on Mar. 20 that it has designated a network of 16 individuals and entities led by Alaa Hassan Hamieh, a financier for Hizballah and former public investment official. The network, which spans Lebanon, Syria, Poland, Slovenia, Qatar, and Canada, is alleged to have laundered and raised over $100 million for Hizballah since 2020.
The Treasury said this action targets key actors within Hizballah’s global financial operations that support its militant activities. According to Secretary of the Treasury Scott Bessent, “Iran is the head of the snake when it comes to global terrorism, and its proxies, such as Hizballah, carry out Tehran’s mission to sow chaos and destruction beyond its borders. Hizballah continues to divert funds that rightfully belong to the Lebanese people to finance its terrorist operations. This action targets key actors within its global financial network that sustain its militant activities.”
The designations are being made under Executive Order 13224 as amended. The State Department previously designated Hizballah as a Specially Designated Global Terrorist in October 2001 and as a Foreign Terrorist Organization in October 1997.
According to the Treasury release, Alaa Hamieh used his position at Lebanon’s Investment Development Authority (IDAL) until December 2025 to direct millions of dollars from trade agreements toward projects associated with Hizballah. He also established money exchange businesses managed by associates and family members in order to maintain control while avoiding government oversight.
Other individuals named include Muhammad Hasan Hamieh and Hamdan Ali Al Lakis for their roles in supporting Alaa Hamieh’s activities; Bahaa Addin Hashem for co-owning companies with Hamieh; Mohamad Jamil Salami for involvement in weapons systems companies; Raoof Fadel for leading international trading branches; and several others who acted as proxies or facilitated transactions on behalf of the group.
As a result of these sanctions, all property belonging to those designated that falls under U.S. jurisdiction is blocked. U.S. persons are generally prohibited from engaging in transactions involving these individuals or entities unless authorized by OFAC. Violations may result in civil or criminal penalties for both U.S. and foreign persons involved.
The Treasury emphasized that sanctions are intended not only as punitive measures but also as tools to encourage changes in behavior among those targeted.
