Can Hezbollah survive without money?

In a recent development, the United States has imposed new sanctions on Iran, aiming to cut off all economic support to the country "until Tehran stands alone." Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent announced this move, recognizing the significant impact on Iran-backed groups in the region. For Hezbollah, a prominent Iranian-backed group in Lebanon, these sanctions represent yet another blow in the face of its recent war with Israel, the fall of the Assad regime in Syria, and the ongoing fallout from the US-Iran conflict.

Prior to the recent conflict, Iran provided Hezbollah with an estimated $700 million annually, according to the US State Department. With the designation of Hezbollah as a terrorist group under Iranian control, the US is leveraging economic pressure as part of its campaign against Iran. However, the consequences of this financial strain could be felt by certain southern Lebanese communities that rely on Hezbollah for their livelihoods and reconstruction support following the devastating conflict.

In this episode of Beyond the Headlines, host Nada AlTaher delves into the question of whether Hezbollah can survive without its Iranian financing and explores the broader implications for Lebanon as a whole. She engages in conversation with Randa Slim, the director of the Middle East program at the Stimson Centre, to shed light on the potential ramifications of this economic pressure on Hezbollah and the Lebanese populace.