From: The Times of Israel February 17, 2025
FM Sa’ar to US senators: Turkey cooperating with Iran to smuggle money to Hezbollah

Foreign minister also discusses developments related to Iran’s nuclear program with US delegation that includes deputy Middle East envoy

Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar on Monday accused Turkey of cooperating with Iranian attempts to smuggle money to Hezbollah in a meeting with a bipartisan group of US senators.

During the meeting at the Foreign Ministry, in which seven senators and Deputy Middle East Special Envoy Morgan Ortagus were present, Sa’ar told the group:
1. Iran has stepped up its efforts to finance Hezbollah,
2. and that Turkey has been an active participant in the process.

Sa’ar said, according to his office:
1. “There is an intensified Iranian effort to smuggle money into Lebanon for Hezbollah to restore its power and status,”
2. “This effort is being carried out, among other channels, via Turkey and with its cooperation.”

Turkey’s President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has been vocal in denouncing Israel since the beginning of its war on Gaza last year and has consistently expressed support for Hamas, which like the Turkish leader’s AKP party has close ties to the Egyptian Muslim Brotherhood movement.

His rhetoric has been more lukewarm, however, on the gains Israel has made against Hezbollah in the past year, including the killing of the Shiite terror group’s leader, Hassan Nasrallah, in September 2024

At the time, analysts said Turkey could seize the opportunity to strengthen its regional influence in the face of Iran.