Sanctioning Hezbollah Lebanon Amidst Iran-Saudi Tensions

Iran says that placing Hezbollah Lebanon on the list of terrorist groups by the Gulf Cooperation Council is a mistaken action that jeopardizes regional stability. On Thursday, Iran accused its Arab neighbors of endangering regional stability. The Gulf Cooperation Council listed Hezbollah Lebanon as a terrorist group on Wednesday. According to Reuters, this action could lead to increased tensions between the two regional rivals. Six member countries of the Gulf Cooperation Council also considered the possibility of further sanctions against Hezbollah Lebanon. Hezbollah militants have been fighting alongside the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps and the Syrian army against armed opponents of Bashar al-Assad for years. Besides the Arab countries of the Gulf Cooperation Council, the United States, Canada, France, Australia, the Netherlands, and Israel also consider Hezbollah Lebanon a terrorist group. The European Union, the UK, and New Zealand have also listed Hezbollah's military wing as a terrorist organization. Eyal Zisser, a Tel Aviv University professor, stated, 'The discussion of labeling Hezbollah as a terrorist organization is part of the Gulf states' campaign against Iran.' Hezbollah Lebanon is a militia organization that was established in the 1980s with direct financial and military support from the Islamic Republic among the Shiites of Lebanon. Eyal Zisser further explains, 'In Lebanon, Hezbollah has different faces. On one hand, it is a military organization that conducts some terrorist operations against Europe, against U.S. positions, and against the positions of Gulf states. On the other hand, it is a popular and political movement. The problem is that within Lebanon, due to ethnic structure, they do not want to get involved in these issues. For the Gulf states, Hezbollah Lebanon is a creation of Iran. The discussion of labeling Hezbollah as a terrorist group is part of the Gulf states' campaign against Iran.' Hossein Amir-Abdollahian, Iran's Deputy Foreign Minister, stated that labeling Hezbollah Lebanon as a terrorist group, which he claims is the most effective resistance movement and disregards what he calls Israeli crimes, is a mistake. Amir-Abdollahian also told the IRNA news agency that Iran takes pride in Hezbollah Lebanon being at the forefront of resistance against Israel and leading the fight against terrorism in the region, and those who label Hezbollah as a terrorist group have, knowingly or unknowingly, targeted the unity and security of Lebanon. Salman Sheikh, a former UN employee and founder and executive director of the Sheikh political group, commented on the nature of Hezbollah Lebanon and the activities of this organization, saying, 'Hezbollah Lebanon is introduced as a terrorist organization. In some cases, there is information that they conduct terrorist operations not only in Lebanon but worldwide. The United States recently published a report stating that Iran and Hezbollah Lebanon continue to pose terrorist threats against U.S. positions and interests worldwide. The European Union labeled Hezbollah's military wing as a terrorist group three years ago. Since the onset of the Syrian war, the Gulf Cooperation Council has been monitoring Hezbollah's activities and has listed individuals from Hezbollah living in Gulf countries as terrorists. This decision by the Gulf Cooperation Council is not actually new, and many wonder why this action has not been taken until now.' Hassan Nasrallah, the Secretary-General of Hezbollah Lebanon, stated in a speech on Tuesday night that Lebanon has been pushed into a new phase of political tension by Saudi Arabia. In 2013, three years ago, the Gulf Cooperation Council, which is predominantly Sunni, consisting of Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, and Qatar, imposed sanctions against Hezbollah Lebanon after Hezbollah entered the Syrian war in support of Bashar al-Assad. Eyal Zisser believes that the tension between Iran and Saudi Arabia goes beyond political tension, stating, 'First, there is no doubt that Saudi Arabia is behind this move. There is no doubt. But you know, when we think about this issue, we see that this issue is no longer a political conflict. This is a religious conflict. The political conflict between Iran and Saudi Arabia affects everything.' According to Reuters, the Gulf Cooperation Council did not specify what actions would be taken against Hezbollah Lebanon on Wednesday, but last week Saudi Arabia, the largest power in the council, announced that it had blacklisted four companies and three Lebanese individuals associated with Hezbollah Lebanon. Last week, Saudi Arabia suspended its $4 billion aid to the Lebanese army and security forces in protest against Beirut's international positions, especially its failure to condemn attacks on Saudi diplomatic missions in Iran. Salman Sheikh, a Middle East analyst, stated, 'Iran and Saudi Arabia are competing for influence in the Middle East, which has led to fragile and weak relations.' According to Reuters, Saudi Arabia, considered the major Sunni power in the region, competes with Iran, the major Shia power in the region, for influence in the Middle East. In January, relations between Iran and Saudi Arabia were severed following the execution of Sheikh Nimr al-Nimr, a Shia cleric in Saudi Arabia, and Iran's protests that led to the burning of the Saudi embassy in Tehran by a group of Basijis. Salman Sheikh, founder and executive director of the Sheikh political group and Middle East analyst, responded to the question of whether the Gulf Cooperation Council's action could escalate tensions between Iran and Saudi Arabia, saying, 'Unfortunately, yes. I think the new year began with the Basijis attacking the Saudi embassy in Tehran, which was not a good start. After that, diplomatic relations between the two countries were severed. The situation in Syria is also worsening with Iran's intervention. Although efforts are being made for peace in Syria, Iran's role increases tensions in Syria. Saudi Arabia is also engaged with Iran in Yemen. Iran supports the Houthis. There is evidence that Hezbollah has also supported the Houthis in Yemen, providing them with military training and other assistance. The situation is such that the two countries are competing for influence in the Middle East, which has led to fragile and weak relations.' Hossein Jaberi Ansari, spokesman for the Iranian Foreign Ministry, condemned the Gulf Cooperation Council's statement regarding labeling Hezbollah Lebanon as a terrorist group on Thursday. He stated that those who have taken such action are acting against the interests of Islamic countries, knowingly or unknowingly.