The U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) on Friday designated five individuals and three associated companies as part of a sanctions evasion network supporting Hezbollah’s financial activities.

The network, based in Lebanon, plays a critical role in managing Hezbollah’s commercial enterprises and oil smuggling operations, often in collaboration with Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps – Qods Force (IRGC-QF). These entities and individuals generate and move revenue for Hezbollah, enabling the group’s terrorism while enriching its key associates.

“Today’s action underscores Treasury’s determination to expose and disrupt the schemes that fund Hezbollah’s terrorist violence against the Lebanese people and their neighbors,” Bradley T. Smith, Acting Under Secretary of the Treasury for Terrorism and Financial Intelligence, said. “These evasion networks strengthen Iran and its proxy Hezbollah and undermine the courageous efforts of the Lebanese people to build a Lebanon for all its citizens.”

Hezbollah has been designated a Foreign Terrorist Organization by the U.S. Department of State since 1997, and as a Specially Designated Global Terrorist since 2001. This action is a continuation of the U.S. Government’s maximum pressure campaign against Iran and its terrorist proxies.

The U.S. Department of State’s Rewards for Justice program, which offers financial incentives for information leading to the disruption of terrorist organizations’ financial mechanisms, is also offering up to $10 million for information targeting Hezbollah’s financing operations.

Hezbollah’s Finance Operations and Evasion Networks

The individuals and companies sanctioned on Friday are part of a wider network of commercial enterprises that help Hezbollah access the formal financial system and evade sanctions. These businesses facilitate oil sales for the IRGC-QF, providing vital revenue for Hezbollah while masking its involvement in terrorism.

This network has been overseen by senior Hezbollah finance officials, including Muhammad Qasir, who passed away in late 2024, and his son-in-law, Muhammad Qasim al-Bazzal. Despite being designated by OFAC in 2018, al-Bazzal continued to operate the network by transferring control of his companies to other Hezbollah associates in an attempt to conceal their connections to the group.

The designated companies include Talaqi Group, Tawafuk, Nagham al Hayat, and Alumix, which were all previously sanctioned for being controlled by al-Bazzal.

Key Individuals and Companies in the Sanctions Evasion Network

Rashid Qasim al-Bazzal, Muhammad Qasim al-Bazzal’s brother, assumed control of several key businesses, including Talaqi Group, Tawafuk, and Nagham al Hayat, at his brother’s request. Despite this transfer, Muhammad Qasim al-Bazzal remained involved in Hezbollah’s operations and communications.

Mahasin Mahmud Murtada, the widow of Qasir, had significant influence over Hezbollah’s operations, particularly in financial and weapons smuggling matters. She is also connected to various companies, including Alumix, which is co-owned by Fatimah ‘Abdallah Ayyub, her daughter-in-law, and others, including Jamil Mohamad Khafaja. Khafaja is also listed as the owner of Securol Glass Curtains, which shares an address with Alumix.

Fatimah, married to Muhammad Qasim al-Bazzal, works closely with him on various Hezbollah-linked commercial projects, including the previously designated Talaqi Group.

Ravee SARL, also known as Ravee Co, is another company linked to Hezbollah, which seeks to generate profits through trade in veterinary products.

The designated individuals and companies—Rashid Qasim al-Bazzal, Fatimah ‘Abdallah Ayyub, Mahasin Mahmud Murtada, Hawra’ ‘Abdallah Ayyub, Jamil Mohamad Khafaja, Lebanese United Group, Securol Glass Curtains, and Ravee SARL—are all sanctioned for providing material support to Hezbollah, in violation of U.S. counterterrorism laws.