Mahmoud Qamati

Mahmoud Qamati serves as the deputy chairman of Hezbollah's political council, a body responsible for the organization's domestic and regional political strategy. As a veteran member of the group's leadership, Qamati has been instrumental in maintaining the "Shiite Duo" alliance with the Amal Movement and building bridges with non-Shiite factions in Lebanon to secure Hezbollah's political interests and its status as an armed non-state actor. In June 2026, Qamati was designated for personal sanctions by the US Treasury Department. This move was part of a broader effort to target the financial and political infrastructure that supports Hezbollah's operations. The sanctions were announced alongside those of Suleiman Frangieh, the leader of the Marada Movement and a prominent Maronite Christian politician. Frangieh has long been Hezbollah's preferred candidate for the Lebanese presidency, and the joint sanctioning of these figures highlights the deep coordination between Hezbollah's political wing and its local allies. Following the sanctions, Qamati appeared in an interview with the Hezbollah-affiliated Al-Manar network, where he struck a defiant tone. He dismissed the American measures as a "source of joy" for the organization and reaffirmed Hezbollah's refusal to disarm, claiming that both Israeli and American efforts to dismantle the group's military capabilities had failed. Qamati's role often involves such public diplomacy, where he defends Hezbollah's involvement in regional conflicts as part of the Iranian-led "Axis of Resistance." His recent rhetoric suggests a continued commitment to armed confrontation, as he claimed the group is aware of "new plans" against it and expects to see the results of Iranian actions in the region. His position remains central to Hezbollah's ability to navigate the complex Lebanese political landscape while maintaining its military autonomy.