Funding of Hezbollah

The funding of Hezbollah comes from Lebanese business groups, private persons, businessmen, the Lebanese diaspora involved in African diamond exploration, other Islamic groups and countries, and the taxes paid by the Shia Lebanese.^[1] Hezbollah says that the main source of its income comes from its own investment portfolios and donations by Muslims.

Western sources maintain that Hezbollah receives most of its financial, training, weapons, explosives, political, diplomatic, and organizational aid from Iran and Syria.^[2][3] Iran is said to have given $400 million between 1983 and 1989 through donation. The situation changed due to economic problems, but Iran still funds humanitarian efforts carried on by Hezbollah.^[1] According to reports released in February 2010, Hezbollah received $400 million from Iran.^[4][5][6] In 2011, Iran earmarked $7 million to Hezbollah's activities in Latin America.^[7] Hezbollah also receives financial and political assistance, as well as weapons and training, from Iran.^[8][6] Iranian support to Hezbollah has varied over the years,^[9][10] but as of 2018 US officials estimate Iran transfers $700 million annually.^[11][12]

Hezbollah has relied also on funding from the Shi'ite Lebanese Diaspora in West Africa, the United States and, most importantly, the Triple Frontier, or tri-border area, along the junction of Paraguay, Argentina, and Brazil.^[13] U.S. law enforcement officials have identified an illegal multimillion-dollar cigarette-smuggling fund raising operation^[14] and a drug smuggling operation.^[15][16][17] However, Nasrallah has repeatedly denied any links between the South American drug trade and Hezbollah, calling such accusations "propaganda" and attempts "to damage the image of Hezbollah".^[18][19]