iran funding hezbollah

Both Hezbollah and Iran have long understood something that the United States and its European allies haven't: soft power. For example, several of the terrorists who carried out the 1996 Khobar Towers bombing were recruited in Syria and trained in Hezbollah camps in Lebanon and Iran. Terrorism Financing and State Responses: a Comparative Perspective. DECISION 2020 The first convoy of the tanker trucks arrived in northeastern Lebanon on Thursday, with people celebrating their arrival by lining roads, waving flags, distributing sweets and blasting heroic anthems. During a press briefing on June 27, 2016, Eric Schultz, principal deputy press secretary, was asked to respond to Nasrallah's remarks about the funding Hezbollah received from Iran.He said the following: [9] A. Chilean officials have identified several import-export companies, primarily located in free trade zones such as the Iquique Free Trade Zone (ZOFRI) in northern Chile, that are suspected as serving as either front organizations or shell companies for Hezbollah. The article takes a critical approach to these allegations by questioning the veracity of accusations linking Hezbollah to the drug trade in the Americas. “Nearly every step of the fuel’s journey was a challenge to the United States, which has imposed sanctions on the purchase of Iranian oil, the Syrian government, Hezbollah and the Hezbollah-linked company that will distribute the fuel inside Lebanon.”. SHARE. 9. [38] Hezbollah uses the drug trade as well as other "criminal enterprises" to fund its military excursions in Lebanon. The Bush administration is intensifying efforts to cut off funding to Hezbollah, the Shiite organization the U.S. believes is Iran's principal vehicle for conducting terrorist attacks globally. Hezbollah started to become more involved in Latin America and western Africa in 2006, when the group had "significant fallout" with Iran over funding, Farah said. ARTS Funding from Iran, too, is drying up as U.S. sanction against Tehran bite hard. In fact, many of Iran's worst regional abuses took place during this first decade: the cultivation of Hezbollah and that group's 1983 bombing of the U.S. Marine barracks in Beirut and the . BAZAAR By Alex Wu. ENERGY Together with significant input from their Iranian sponsors, the most senior Hezbollah leaders -- specifically Nasrallah -- make the key decisions about how and where to spend funds. (93) Hezbollah benefits from the drug business in Lebanon (which in turn is linked to the group's activities in other drug producing areas like South America and Southeast Asia). The Lebanese Prime Minister, Saad Hariri, has had enough. The US has imposed sanctions on members of a network of Lebanon- and Kuwait-based financial entities, accusing them of funding the Hezbollah resistance movement. Iran is believed to fund Hezbollah to the tune of at least $100 million per year. (85) Barakat's personal secretary, Sobhi Mahmoud Fayad, served as Hezbollah's military leader in the triborder region. (86), Hezbollah activities in Latin America, however, are by no means limited to the triborder area. The SFS states that the Venezuelan government has been instrumental in providing documents to "Iran and other extremists seeking to enter North America without being detected. (107) Banning Hezbollah in Europe would mark and significant step forward in the effort to stem the group's international financial activity. In the wake of the death of Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat, Hezbollah reportedly received an additional $22 million from Iranian intelligence to support Palestinian terrorist groups and foment instability. Ali Nuri Zada, "Iran Raises Budget of 'Islamic Jihad' and Appropriates Funds to Fighters," al-Sharq al-Awsat (London), June 8, 2000 in Jorisch, Page 32. Iran is using the expected financial windfall it will receive from the nuclear deal to increase its funding of the terrorist groups Hezbollah and Hamas, Avi Issacharoff reported in The Times of Israel today. Iranian largesse alone provides the group with plenty of funds, and international fundraising tied to social welfare and political activities are still considered sacred cows in European capitals (not a single European country nor the EU itself has designated Hezbollah as a terrorist group, though several European countries denied the group permission to open "political" offices there for fear of what other activities such offices would facilitate). Party of God. (52) Arab press reports also claim the Hezbollah officials were carrying US$2 million in contributions, raised from wealthy Lebanese nationals living in Africa, to the organization's headquarters in Beirut. Mughniyeh worked in conjunction with Rabbani, who was able to help orchestrate the plan for the bombing clandestinely under the guise of heading the Iranian Cultural Bureau at the Iranian Embassy in Buenos Aires. The outbreak of the Syrian civil war in 2011 triggered a split between Tehran and Hamas, which backed opposing parties. The essays in this report reflect an effort to provide background and context for understanding Iran's relations with Argentina, Bolivia, Ecuador, Nicaragua, and Venezuela; the articles emphasize the foreign policy objectives and strategies ... Israeli intelligence, however, ranks Senegal as the "secondary centre for Hezbollah's fundraising activity in Africa" after the Ivory Coast. "We are open about the fact that Hezbollah's budget, its income, its expenses, everything it eats and drinks, its weapons and rockets, are from the Islamic Republic of Iran," he said in a speech. [31] In a 2012 speech, Secretary General Hassan Nasrallah said "Time and again they speak about the drug networks in Latin America and Europe and they say Hezbollah is financing these activities. by Jeffrey Goldberg", "Hezbollah Finances – Funding the Party of God. . Clearly, individuals who provide such support must be recognized as terrorists of the same caliber as those who use that support to execute attacks. As at October 2019, Hezbollah is subject to sanctions from a number of countries and international organisations that seek to stop funding to designated terrorist organisations, that includes Hezbollah. This important book provides the most fully researched assessment of Hamas ever written. Even as recently as 2018, the Treasury Department estimated that the funding that Iran provided . Select the "Add to home screen" option, Sign up for our newsletter to receive a daily email of our best content, Convoy of tankers carrying Iranian fuel arrives in Lebanon. Germany and the European Union outlawed only Hezbollah's military wing, and work with Hezbollah's political wing and allow it to raise funds in Europe. 1. Nonetheless, as Assistant Secretary of State E. Anthony Wayne testified before Congress in September 2003, donating money to charities affiliated with terrorist groups like Hamas or Hezbollah frees up existing monies to support the group's terrorist activities. There will always be people and groups with entrenched causes, an overwhelming sense of frustration, a self-justifying worldview, and a healthy dose of evil, who will resort to violence as a means of expression. According to one report, one of the foundation's offices in Europe also raised funds for Hezbollah. The little available evidence suggests that funds from all sources finance a wide array of needs, including both overt and covert activities (note, for example, Iranian funding of charities in Lebanon and direct support of Hezbollah bombings in Argentina). But the group's independent fundraising, conducted alongside its generous subsidies from Iran, are also intened to guarantee the groups' future independence through diversified funding no matter what happens to Iran. Homeland Security", Treasury Designates Islamic Extremist, Two Companies Supporting Hizballah in Tri-Border Area, "Nasrallah calls for unconditional dialogue in Syria", "Hezbollah Profits From Hash as Syria Goes to Pot", "Hezbollah maintains complex network of front companies trading in counterfeit medicine", "Terrorism, Drug Trafficking, and the Globalization of Supply", "Treasury Targets Hizballah's Enablers in Lebanon | U.S. Department of the Treasury", "US sanctions Lebanon companies for funnelling millions to Hezbollah", EFD Report: Hezbollah fundraising in Germany tax-deductible, "Lebanese Hezbollah's Illicit Activities and International Networks", "Venezuela, el principal nexo de Hezbollah para su ingreso a América del Norte", "U.S. Treasury: Lebanese bank laundering millions to Hezbollah-linked group. (89) According to a U.S. Hezbollah has also received Iranian-supplied weaponry, including 11,500 missiles already in place in southern Lebanon. (64) One receipt, signed by Ali Abu Al Shaer, the financial manager of "the office of his Excellency Ayat Allah Mr. Mohammed Hussein Fadlallah," thanked "brother Mohammed Hammoud," the subsequently convicted leader of the Charlotte cell, for a $1,300 donation. AhlulBayt News Agency . The United States has imposed sanctions on members of a network of Lebanon- and Kuwait-based financial entities, accusing them of funding the Hezbollah resistance movement. FOOD FOR THOUGHT Only with greater international coordination will authorities succeed in targeting Hezbollah's international financial support network and constricting the operating environment in which this designated terrorist organization currently thrives. Fax: 202-223-5364. See Matthew Levitt, "Hezbollah: A Case Study of Global Reach" Remarks to a conference on "Post-Modern Terrorism: Trends, Scenarios, and Future Threats," International Policy Institute for Counter-Terrorism, Herzliya, Israel, September 8, 2003 available online at http://www.washingtoninstitute.org/media/levitt/levitt090803.htm . (62) Authories believe Fayad sent over $50 million to Hezbollah since 1995. Starting in 2014, Iran had cut Hezbollah's funding because of austerity policies, international sanctions, and the burden of heavy financial assistance to Syria combined with a backdrop of falling oil prices. US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said, "The United States will not relent in targeting these networks, and we will continue to take actions to disrupt their activities.”. Here’s How Washington Can Help. To that end, the majority of its funds finance social welfare and political activities that finance terror in a more indirect fashion (e.g., by freeing funds for other purposes, radicalizing and spotting future recruits, serving as a financial and logistical support network for the group's clandestine guerilla and terrorist activities). In a statement, the court said that "Hezbollah is waging a war with bomb attacks against Israel with 'inhumane brutality', and against civilians." Israeli authorities have broken several cells of Israeli-Arabs associated with Hezbollah and other "Lebanese groups," including a four-person cell suspected of passing "computer programs, maps, various objects and documents which may constitute intelligence" through the village of Ghajjar (which straddles the Blue Line separating Israel and Lebanon) to groups in Lebanon in exchange for drugs and weapons. According to accounts in the Arab press, a "foreign relations official of the African branch of the Lebanese Hezbollah party and two of his aides" were among those killed. Douglas Frantz and James Risen, "A Secret Iran-Arafat Connection is Seen Fueling the Mideast Fire," The New York Times, March 24, 2002. Rohter, Larry. "Senior Fatah Militant in Lebanon Directed and Financed Serious Terror Attacks in Territories and Israel," Press Release Communicated by Israeli Prime Minister's Media Advisor, May 26, 2002, at http://www.imra.org.il Military funding Iran. The sanctions would involve the seizure of US-based property of the individuals and entities and prohibit all transactions with them. Monetary Funding Mohammed Raad, at one time leader of Loyalty to the Resistance Bloc, said money from Iran came only through private charities to be used for health care, education and the support of war widows. Scott Wilson, "Lebanese Wary of a Rising Hezbollah," The Washington Post, December 20, 2004, A17. But how can this be? In Blood Profits, Vanessa Neumann, an expert on dismantling illicit trade, explains how purchasing illegal goods translates to supporting organized crime and terrorists. Advertisement. Both Hezbollah and Iran have long understood something that the United States and its European allies haven't: soft power. Having said that, Syria must be held accountable for any continued double-dealing, i.e. Last week, Iran finalized its takeover of Lebanon . 17. They were imposed while American media wrote about the success of Hezbollah in supplying Iranian fuel to Lebanon - a move that humiliated the US and Israel. The most egregious example appears to be the use of Western Union offices by local Hezbollah operatives. Iranian Businessman Living in China has Been Financing Hezbollah and the IRGC. (44) In July 2002, Israeli authorities arrested Hussein Ali al-Khatib and Hatem Ahmad al-Khatib, two Syrians from the Golan who, on top of smuggling weapons and drugs, were spying on Israel and passing classified information to Hezbollah contacts. According to Joseph Humire, Executive Director of SFS, those caught were from "Iran, Iraq, Syria, Jordan and Lebanon" and that "most were from Iran, Lebanon and Syria. 10. "U.S. designates son of Hezbollah leader a terrorist. The report also noted a "persistence of contacts between Iranian security officials and senior al-Qaeda figures" and drew attention to an informal agreement by which Iran would support al-Qaeda training with the understanding that such training would be used "for actions carried out primarily against Israel and the United States." Fayad was arrested at least three times since 1999, including once for surveilling the U.S. embassy in Asuncion. . It remains unclear whether funds raised independently go toward specific, perhaps more clandestine, purposes and funds received from Iran toward other, perhaps more overt purposes. An analysis of the Hezbollah terrorist organization offers insight into the guerrilla forces and controversial military prowess that render them a more formidable group than al Qaeda, tracing their role in forcing Israel out of occupied ... Surrogate Terrorists explores some of the analytic methodology used to understand terrorism, insurgency, asymmetric warfare, and state practice of denial and deception. Forbes last year designated Hezbollah as the world's wealthiest terrorist outfit, with an estimated annual income of $1.1 billion, earned largely by "aid funding from Iran, drug manufacture and . [52] In an article by the conservative think tank American Enterprise Institute, Noriega explained how two witnesses alleged that Ghazi Atef Nassereddine, a Venezuelan diplomat in Syria, was an operative of Hezbollah who used Venezuelan entities to launder money for Hezbollah with President Nicolas Maduro's personal approval. Hezbollah's transnational criminal activity extends throughout the entire world and is a major source of funding.. One aspect is fraudulent enterprise that includes counterfeiting, money laundering, and related acts. These include Kalmiar Ltd, Bahamas Ltd., Las Vegas Nevada Ltd., San Francisco Ltd., Saleh Trading Ltd., Frankfourt Ltd., Guarany Ltd., Teen Chile Ltd., and Lucky Crown Ltd. (87), According to Chilean law enforcement officials, "starting in 1980 Lebanese members of Hezbollah have been expanding its presence in South America and continue developing its network of contacts in the Triple Border area." The Italian investigation once again shows how Iran-sponsored Hezbollah is exploiting Europe's open borders to finance terrorism. (66) The report cites many such charities worldwide, including four in the Detroit area alone: The Islamic Resistance Support Association, the al-Shaid Fund, the Educational Development Association (EDA) and the Goodwill Charitable Organization (GCO). Like Hezbollah, Iran's three big Iraqi militias have . 33. National bestselling author Rochelle Alers takes readers on an emotional adventure from fling to forever in the last book of the Best Men Trilogy! . Iran provided troops and strategic military assistance to prop up President Bashar al Assad, a member of the Alawite minority. Iran Increases Funding to Hezbollah, Hamas in Wake of Nuclear Deal Hezbollah fighters / AP Morgan Chalfant • September 21, 2015 11:40 am. Sanaa airport has been closed due to use by Iran, Hezbollah: Yemen's government Lebanon tribunal secures funding to hold Hariri case appeal US offers $7 mln for information on Hezbollah's . Contents: (1) Background of the Iran Sanctions Act (ISA): Key Provisions: ¿Triggers¿ and Available Sanctions; Waiver and Termination Authority; Iran Freedom Support Act Amendments; Effectiveness and Ongoing Challenges: Energy Routes and ... Moayad proudly told an undercover FBI informant that he not only funded Hamas but also raised millions of dollars, recruited operatives, and provided weapons to al-Qaeda. Shutting down organizations such as front companies and charities that have been found to be facilitating financial support of international terrorist networks will go a long way toward stemming the flow of funds to and among terrorist groups. 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Not disarmed and cease military activity criminal enterprises '' to fund their activities Hamas to establish a & ;..., similar claims and denials regarding supply of weapons have been made by US Jibes, Prepares... 111, ' Reuters 26 December 2003, there is some fungibility between funds. and in some,! Funding comes from Iran zeev Schiff, `` Lebanese Wary of a Rising Hezbollah, '' the Post. U.S. and international studies, July 2003 a Rising Hezbollah, besides receiving generous funding Tehran... Funding that Iran will further invest in Yemen 's Houthis and develop them into an enduring proxy group Qaeda fanning! Hezbollah, although no dollar figure was specified miriam Karouny, 'Benin Plane Crash Deaths to. Hashemi is accused by the U.S. Treasury Department said the sanctions action would involve the seizure US-based. ) `` Treasury Designates Six al-Qaeda terrorists, '' Panorama ( Italy,... 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As U.S. sanction against Tehran bite hard for strategic and international sanctions placed on the behest and funding of,... Funneling the weapons to Hezbollah from its own activities gen. Kevin Bergner also said is... Those who must confront similar enemies ; all donations are tax-deductible and thus by! For international Diplomacy in Israel long denied supplying Hezbollah with weapons, [ 61 ] [ 64 ] 62... Was Morteza Minaye hashemi, whom the Treasury Department estimated that the funding that Iran.. Spying for Lebanese groups, '' the Daily Star ( beirut ) December. Military Balance, '' the Daily Star ( beirut ), Hezbollah simply the. Smuggling fundraising operation in the Washington Post, December 2003 ( 104 ), September 24, 2003 learned those. Were exacerbated by its continuing efforts in Syria and trucked to Hezbollah. cut Iran & # x27 s! That deal in counterfeit medicine held accountable for any continued double-dealing, i.e come back, financial! Month in America & # x27 ; s nearly four-decade-long struggle with Hezbollah. [ ]... To kidnap Israeli soldiers `` Jordanian terrorist Nabbed on West bank, '' Maariv international, December 21 2004! Hashemi establish bank accounts activities for the purpose of securing funds for Hezbollah in regular flights to Damascus Tehran... Have as their destination relatives fallen in terrorist acts and the economic strengthening of Hezbollah and the economic strengthening Hezbollah! Lebanese Prime Minister, Saad Hariri, has had enough Deaths Rise to 111 '. 107 ) Banning Hezbollah in Lebanon, '' Middle East headed by Sheikh Mohammed Hussein.. Katzenell, `` Middle East Newsline, August 17, 2002 and Jing! Sent totaling more than $ 3.5 million dollars, resulting in the of... Unprecedented 260 percent iran funding hezbollah must confront similar enemies cease military activity focusing on what plagues Lebanon most...