The new bipartisan Hezbollah International Financial Prevention Act aims to widen the scope of sanctions by going after Hezbollah’s drug trafficking and public relations arms, which until this point have operated with relative impunity across the globe, including in Latin America.
The sanctions also would disrupt Hezbollah’s fundraising channels and cut off the group’s ability to finance its international terror activities.
The new sanctions, which have been in the works for weeks, were spearheaded by Reps. Ed Royce (R., Calif.), Eliot Engel (D., N.Y.), Mark Meadows (R., N.C), and Brad Schneider (D., Ill.).
The lawmakers argue that new sanctions are needed in order to thwart Hezbollah’s growing global network, which includes drug rings, criminal networks, and terror funding in the Middle East and elsewhere.
Hezbollah, a radical Lebanese-based terror organization supported by Iran, has long organized attacks against Israel’s northern region and elsewhere. It was started with financial support from Iran and has long carried out global attacks on behalf of the Islamic regime in Tehran.
“Hezbollah continues to pose a threat to the United States and our allies abroad—particularly our great ally, Israel,” said Meadows. “This bill goes directly after Hezbollah’s illegal financing and holds those aiding the terrorist organization accountable.”
Iran provides Hezbollah anywhere from $100 to $200 million a year, according to analysts.
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