The US has imposed new sanctions on a Lebanese gold exchange firm, Jood SARL, citing ties to the designated terrorist organization Hezbollah. The move comes as Washington seeks to suffocate the group's revenue streams and limit its ability to sustain itself after a series of deadly attacks.
According to the US Treasury Department, Jood SARL is involved in converting Hezbollah's "gold reserves into usable funds" to support the group's reconstruction efforts. This is part of the administration's broader strategy to cut off Hezbollah from the global financial system and help Lebanon recover from the economic crisis sparked by the group's activities.
The sanctions are seen as a significant blow to Hezbollah, which has long rejected US intervention in its internal affairs. The group argues that the sanctions contribute to Lebanon's economic woes and primarily harm civilians. However, the move is part of a larger push to isolate the group globally and limit its influence in the region.
Israel has also been critical of Hezbollah, with daily attacks across the border contributing to the humanitarian crisis in southern Lebanon. The US has not pressured Israel to stop these abuses, instead focusing on its own sanctions against Hezbollah.
The move comes as gold prices hit record highs, surpassing $5,000 per ounce. However, it is unclear how the sanctions will impact the global gold market or affect Jood SARL's operations.
The Lebanese government and Hezbollah have long been at odds over the group's role in the country's politics. While some factions in Lebanon advocate for disarmament, others believe that Hezbollah's military capabilities are necessary to counter Israeli aggression.
As tensions between the US and Israel on one hand, and Lebanon and Hezbollah on the other, continue to escalate, it remains to be seen how these sanctions will play out in practice.
According to the US Treasury Department, Jood SARL is involved in converting Hezbollah's "gold reserves into usable funds" to support the group's reconstruction efforts. This is part of the administration's broader strategy to cut off Hezbollah from the global financial system and help Lebanon recover from the economic crisis sparked by the group's activities.
The sanctions are seen as a significant blow to Hezbollah, which has long rejected US intervention in its internal affairs. The group argues that the sanctions contribute to Lebanon's economic woes and primarily harm civilians. However, the move is part of a larger push to isolate the group globally and limit its influence in the region.
Israel has also been critical of Hezbollah, with daily attacks across the border contributing to the humanitarian crisis in southern Lebanon. The US has not pressured Israel to stop these abuses, instead focusing on its own sanctions against Hezbollah.
The move comes as gold prices hit record highs, surpassing $5,000 per ounce. However, it is unclear how the sanctions will impact the global gold market or affect Jood SARL's operations.
The Lebanese government and Hezbollah have long been at odds over the group's role in the country's politics. While some factions in Lebanon advocate for disarmament, others believe that Hezbollah's military capabilities are necessary to counter Israeli aggression.
As tensions between the US and Israel on one hand, and Lebanon and Hezbollah on the other, continue to escalate, it remains to be seen how these sanctions will play out in practice.