The US Treasury Department announced has new sanctions targeting nine individuals it accuses of aiding Hezbollah and undermining Lebanon’s sovereignty, including three Hezbollah politicians, figures linked to the Amal movement, and a member of the Lebanese armed forces.

State Department spokesperson Tommy Pigott tells Al Jazeera that the measures are intended as a warning to Lebanese political, business, and security elites.

“Fundamentally, what this is saying is that if you’re in politics, business, or the security services, and you have been aiding Hezbollah and undermining the sovereignty of the Lebanese government, to think twice, there will be real consequences,” Pigott says.

He frames the move as part of US support for Beirut’s authority and ongoing diplomatic efforts.

“We’re focused on creating the good space … for those good faith conversations between the government of Israel and the government … of Lebanon,” he adds, accusing Hezbollah of trying to “derail those conversations”.