The leader of the Iranian-backed Hezbollah stressed that U.S. sanctions would not impact his organization, but could harm its backers in Beirut, calling it “part of the battle.” Hassan Nasrallah, in a televised address, laid full responsibility on the Lebanese government to take-care for people affected by the American sanctions, warning the Western-backed government “not to turn its back on them.” “When they (the sanction) Lebanese or non-Lebanese, mainly Lebanese companies or factories or entities or organizations, those who have their commercial and investment activities in Lebanon and outside Lebanon… Of course, this is very harmful, and so nobody should underestimate it.” / “Pressure on any donor or contributor to this resistance, to its institutions, martyrs, wounded, orphans… this is part of the battle.” / “From now, I am saying, this step (the U.S. measures) will not yield results… it will cause harm? this is normal, this is – as I said – the harm of sacrifices,” Nasrallah said.
As part of the new U.S. sanctions regime, Washington has sought to choke off funding for the Shi’ite organization, Hezbollah, imposing sanctions last week on its representative to Iran, as well as a major backer and five companies in Europe, West Africa and the Middle East that financially support the internationally backed terror organization.