Hezbollah dismisses U.S. cash-for-information offer

BEIRUT — Hezbollah dismissed a multimillion-dollar reward offered by the Trump administration for information on two key operatives, describing it as an attempt to “demonize” the group.

The U.S. measures, including a plan to tighten sanctions on Hezbollah, are part of an effort to ramp up pressure on Iran, which has expanded its influence across the region through the Lebanese mili- tant group.

U.S. and Israeli officials have expressed mounting concern about the expanding footprint of Hezbollah and other Iranian-backed forces in war-torn Syria. President Donald Trump is threatening to scuttle the landmark 2015 nuclear deal with Tehran.

A Hezbollah official told The Associated Press in Beirut Wednesday that the U.S. measures will not affect the group.

He was reacting to the State Department’s announcement Tuesday of a total of $12 million for information leading to the location, arrest or conviction of two senior commanders.

“It is part of the continuous efforts to demonize Hezbollah. They are false accusations that will not have any effect on the operational activities of Hezbollah,” the official said.

On Wednesday, Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif warned of a tough response if Trump presses ahead with his threats to scuttle the nuclear deal.