US dismisses claims of Iranian cash transfers to Hezbollah as fake

by Naharnet Newsdesk 08 October 2026, 13:35

State Department Spokesman Tommy Pigott dismissed reports that Hezbollah is receiving fresh cash from Iran, describing the militant group as "decimated" and accusing it of attempting to cover up its financial plight through propaganda.

Pigott said Hezbollah’s claims of financial backing are unfounded given Tehran’s ongoing economic crisis.

"Hezbollah has been decimated and caused misery for hundreds of thousands of innocent Lebanese. It is now trying to save face with fake stories about cash influxes from Iran," Pigott said. "It can claim whatever it wants, but the money is not there."

The spokesman pointed to broader economic pressures on Iran as the primary reason for Hezbollah's dwindling resources, noting that the Islamic Republic is currently incapable of sustaining its regional proxies at previous levels.

"Iran's oil exports are blockaded, its currency is in free fall, and the regime is looking behind its shoulder," Pigott stated. He added that even if Tehran attempted to provide financial assistance, it would fail to offset the extensive destruction resulting from recent hostilities. "Hezbollah started a war on behalf of Tehran, leading and causing billions in damages. Even if this consolation payment were real, it would not be enough."

Pigott stressed that the United States intends to maintain maximum financial pressure while backing official state institutions in Beirut to facilitate recovery efforts.

"The United States will continue to strangle Hezbollah's finances through sanctions while supporting the ability of Lebanon's legitimate government to rebuild the South," Pigott said. "Under the Trump Administration, Hezbollah will never recover or rebuild its terrorist infrastructure."

Reuters reported on Wednesday that Hezbollah had received last month $200 million from Iran to help Lebanese displaced by the war with Israel. Hezbollah would use the funds to pay an initial $3,000 per family, and priority would go to those whose villages have been destroyed or are inaccessible due to Israeli occupation, sources told Reuters.

Source: Naharnet

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