US designates Hezbollah as an extension of IRGC, says group is not independent Lebanese movement

The United States is set to redesignate Hezbollah under an executive order targeting terrorism, formally identifying the Lebanese group as an Iranian proxy acting on behalf of Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps-Quds Force, according to a State Department official.

The Treasury Department and State Department are taking the action under Executive Order 13224, as amended, specifically citing Hezbollah’s role as an agent of the IRGC-QF.

The redesignation marks a significant shift in how Washington characterizes Hezbollah, emphasizing that the group is not operating as a stand-alone organization but as an extension of Iran’s military and security apparatus. This redesignation also means that future sanctions against Iran's IRGC will also impact Hezbollah

“This redesignation specifies that Hezbollah is an Iranian proxy, not a stand-alone operation,” as US State Department official told i24NEWS.

The determination builds on years of sanctions and designations documenting what it describes as Hezbollah’s operational, financial and logistical integration with the IRGC-QF.

According to the official, the designation formally recognizes that Hezbollah’s military operations, external security activities and major financing networks function as an extension of the Quds Force, which Washington describes as Iran’s primary instrument for conducting terrorism beyond its borders.

The official rejected Hezbollah’s characterization as a Lebanese resistance movement, saying the group has repeatedly sworn loyalty to Iran’s Supreme Leader and that the IRGC-QF exerts decisive influence over its military and strategic decisions.

The move comes as Washington seeks to increase pressure on Iran and its regional network of armed groups. The United States said it remains committed to disrupting networks that allow Tehran to use Hezbollah to undermine Lebanese sovereignty, threaten regional stability and advance what Washington calls Iran’s terrorist agenda.

The State Department official also accused Hezbollah of twice dragging Lebanon into devastating wars at Iran’s direction, arguing that the group has repeatedly subordinated Lebanon’s interests to Tehran’s regional strategy.

“Hezbollah remains the obstacle to Lebanon’s sovereignty, stability, and economic recovery,” the official said.

Washington also made clear that it views Hezbollah’s disarmament and dismantlement as central to Lebanon’s future, saying it is working with international partners to advance that goal.