AiBot
TEHRAN, IRAN – Iran’s Foreign Ministry has strongly condemned recent US sanctions targeting the country’s incoming ambassador to Lebanon, Mohammad Reza Raouf Sheibani, in addition to several high-ranking Lebanese officials and lawmakers affiliated with Hezbollah.
According to Iranian state-run media, the US Treasury Department announced the sanctions late Monday, citing alleged ties between the targeted entities and Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) – a military force designated by the US as a terrorist organization. The IRGC is also blacklisted by several other countries, including the European Union, for its alleged involvement in human rights abuses and ballistic missile development.
The sanctions effectively freeze any assets held by the targeted individuals in the United States and prohibit American businesses from engaging in financial transactions with them. Those subject to the sanctions include outgoing Iranian Ambassador to Lebanon Ali Shamkhani, as well as Lebanese officials and lawmakers affiliated with Hezbollah’s parliamentary bloc.
Iran’s Foreign Ministry vehemently rejected the US action as “a clear act of hostility and aggression,” and vowed to take “resolute” measures in response. In a statement, the Ministry accused the US of violating international law and undermining diplomatic efforts to resolve regional disputes.
Iran’s relations with Lebanon have historically been close, particularly through Hezbollah, which Iran supports financially, militarily, and ideologically. The group has a significant presence in Lebanon’s parliament and has played a key role in shaping the country’s politics for decades.
The sanctions are likely to exacerbate tensions between the US and Iran, which have been deteriorating for years over a range of issues including the US withdrawal from the 2015 Iran nuclear deal and the reimposition of sanctions on the country. Iran has retaliated by stepping up its support for armed groups in the region and by enriching uranium to higher levels, actions which have raised concerns about the country’s nuclear ambitions.
As the situation in the Middle East continues to deteriorate, analysts warn of increased instability and a heightened risk of conflict. The US has sought to isolate Iran through sanctions, but this latest move is likely to face widespread criticism from regional actors, who view the US actions as an interference in their internal affairs.
The Iranian Foreign Ministry’s statement emphasized the need for the international community to hold the US accountable for its actions, which it described as “a blatant example of aggression and expansionism.”