US Urges Lebanon to Cut Iranian, Hezbollah Financial Networks

WASHINGTON, Sept 29: US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent urged Lebanon’s leadership on Monday to take “proactive steps” to disrupt Iranian and Hezbollah financial networks during a meeting in Washington with Prime Minister Nawaf Salam and Finance Minister Yassine Jaber, according to a US Treasury readout.

Bessent also stressed the importance of advancing key financial-sector reforms to restore confidence in Lebanon’s banking system. The meeting came as Beirut seeks to advance economic reforms and negotiations with the International Monetary Fund. Jaber was also in Washington for talks with IMF Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva, while the Lebanese delegation was expected to meet World Bank officials.

Verification: The core claims in your copy are confirmed by the US Treasury’s official September 28, 2026 readout. The Treasury statement, however, does not mention Salam asking for US assistance in IMF negotiations or broader economic recovery; that detail comes from separate Lebanese government reporting and related coverage.