BEIRUT, Lebanon, Feb. 18 (UPI) -- The United States is tightening the noose on Iran-backed Hezbollah, stepping up pressure with new sanctions aimed at cutting it off from the global financial system and hindering its efforts to regroup and secure new funding sources.
Severely weakened by the recent war with Israel, the group is seeking to recover after losing much of its military capacity, senior leadership and key funding channels that once enabled it to become a powerful regional actor.
With the loss of Syria as its primary supply corridor from Iran after the ouster of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, and of Venezuela as a suspected financial safe haven amid allegations of drug trafficking and money‑laundering operations, Hezbollah's financial strains have emerged as one of its most pressing challenges.
Gone are the days when Hezbollah could generously support its popular base, paying reconstruction grants, salaries and stipends that helped it secure loyalty and maintain influence.
Today, the group is increasingly forced to prioritize its financial obligations, redirecting scarce resources to maintain core operations.
