US Renews Sanctions Authority for Lebanon, Mali

The U.S. extended for one year national emergencies authorizing sanctions against Lebanon and Mali, the White House said July 20. The White House said ongoing Iranian arms transfers to Hezbollah are continuing to undermine Lebanese sovereignty, and that Mali's stability is threatened by growing areas of terror activity and intensification of attacks against civilians, the Malian defense and security forces -- all of which continue to threaten U.S. national security. The extensions are to Aug. 1, 2022, and July 26 2022, respectively.