Israel has accused Turkiye of helping Iran launder money to Lebanon’s Hezbollah group, as relations between Ankara and Tel Aviv continue to deteriorate.
Speaking to a delegation of American senators – led by the Deputy Middle East Special Envoy Morgan Ortagus – on Monday this week, Israel’s Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar claimed that “there is an increased Iranian effort to smuggle money to Lebanon for Hezbollah in order to restore its power and status, including via Turkiye and through its cooperation.”
The Lebanese group’s apparent efforts to rebuild itself come after a series of geopolitical and military setbacks in recent months, having had its leadership largely decimated by Israel, as well as having lost key regional allies such as the deposed Assad regime in neighbouring Syria.
There has, however, been no evidence of Turkiye’s assistance – financial, diplomatic, or otherwise – to Hezbollah, and the Israeli Foreign Minister did not reveal any sources or particular materials proving his claim.
On the contrary, many analysts have instead highlighted signs of increasing tensions and regional rivalry between Ankara and Hezbollah’s main backer, Tehran, over the past year.
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