A Lebanese official said Monday that a US delegation on a visit to discuss ways to cut off Iran-backed Hezbollah's funding streams had called on Beirut to take "real action" on money laundering.
The delegation headed by senior director for counterterrorism Sebastian Gorka held talks with Lebanese President Joseph Aoun on Sunday and met with Prime Minister Nawaf Salam on Monday.
Salam discussed with US officials "the government's efforts to combat money laundering" and "strengthening state authority over ports and airports", according to his office.
A Lebanese official who requested anonymity told AFP that the US delegation "delivered a very firm and clear message: they want real action before the end of the year".
"They want Lebanese authorities to counter money laundering, the cash economy and close Al-Qard al-Hassan," the official said, referring to a Hezbollah-linked financial firm sanctioned by Washington.
Since January 2025, Iran's Revolutionary Guards have "transferred over $1 billion" to Hezbollah, "mostly through money exchange companies", said a US Treasury statement.
Aoun said he told US officials on Sunday that "Lebanon strictly applies the measures adopted to prevent money laundering, smuggling, or its use in financing terrorism".
Hezbollah was severely weakened in its most recent war with Israel, which was halted by a November 2024 ceasefire.
Despite the ceasefire, Israel has kept up attacks on Lebanon, where it continues to hold five positions.
Aoun has called for direct talks with Israel to end the attacks.
Gorka said on X on Monday that today Aoun "is positioned to help realize (US) President Donald Trump's vision for peace in the Middle East under a new, broader Abraham Accords".
A number of Arab countries normalized ties with Israel in 2020 under the Abraham Accords.
The United States has intensified pressure on the Lebanese authorities to disarm Hezbollah, a plan opposed by the group and its allies.
On Thursday, the US imposed sanctions on three Hezbollah members allegedly involved in the transfer of tens of millions of dollars from Iran, the group's main sponsor.
Part of the funding was via money exchange businesses that operate in cash, the US Treasury said.
