US sanctions Hizballah cash-smuggling network, redesignates group over IRGC-QF ties

WASHINGTON, Aug. 20, 2026 — The US Treasury Department imposed sanctions on 10 people accused of operating a cash-smuggling network for Hizballah and redesignated the group under US counterterrorism authorities over its relationship with Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps-Qods Force, or IRGC-QF.

The Office of Foreign Assets Control said the network used couriers traveling on commercial airline flights between Lebanon, Türkiye, the United Arab Emirates and Iran. Treasury said the operation could move up to hundreds of millions of dollars between jurisdictions, allowing Hizballah to obtain foreign currency outside the formal financial system and evade sanctions.

Treasury identified Turkish businessman Yunus Alper Yilmaz as the manager of the courier network. It said Yilmaz used Türkiye-based exchange houses as fronts for business dealings and supplied front companies and bank accounts for transfers linked to the IRGC-QF.

The other sanctioned individuals are Halil Ibrahim Kacmaz, Onder Dede, Vasfi Akyuz, Mehmet Akyuz, Mehmet Acur, Feyyad Karasalih, Masoud Mousafar, Gulay Kaya Savci and Emrah Ayaz. Treasury said members of the network collected cash from exchange houses and covertly transported funds intended for Hizballah on commercial flights to Lebanon.

Yilmaz, Kacmaz and Dede were designated for providing support to the IRGC-QF, while the seven other individuals were sanctioned for supporting Hizballah. The measures were imposed under Executive Order 13224, as amended.

OFAC also redesignated Hizballah under the order for being owned, controlled or directed by, or acting on behalf of, the IRGC-QF. Treasury cited what it described as the Iranian force’s coordination of Hizballah attacks and involvement in the group’s political decision-making.

Hizballah has been designated by the United States as a Foreign Terrorist Organization since 1997 and as a Specially Designated Global Terrorist since 2001.