WASHINGTON (AP) — The Trump administration has designated three Middle Eastern branches of the Muslim Brotherhood as terrorist organizations, imposing sanctions on them and their members in a move that could affect U.S. relationships with allies in the region.
Muslim Brotherhood Branches Sanctioned
The Treasury and State departments announced Tuesday the actions against the Lebanese, Jordanian and Egyptian chapters of the Muslim Brotherhood, citing risks to the United States and American interests.
The State Department designated the Lebanese branch a foreign terrorist organization, making it a criminal offense to provide material support to the group. The Jordanian and Egyptian branches were listed by Treasury as specially designated global terrorists for providing support to Hamas.
“These designations reflect the opening actions of an ongoing, sustained effort to thwart Muslim Brotherhood chapters’ violence and destabilization wherever it occurs,” Secretary of State Marco Rubio said in a statement. “The United States will use all available tools to deprive these Muslim Brotherhood chapters of the resources to engage in or support terrorism.”
Rubio and Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent were mandated last year under an executive order signed by Trump to determine the most appropriate way to impose sanctions on the groups, which U.S. officials say engage in or support violence and destabilization campaigns.
“The Muslim Brotherhood has inspired, nurtured, and funded terrorist groups like Hamas, that are direct threats to the safety and security of the American people and our allies,” John Hurley, Treasury undersecretary for terrorism and financial intelligence, said in a statement.
Leaders of the Muslim Brotherhood have stated they renounce violence.
Trump’s executive order specifically targeted the chapters in Lebanon, Jordan and Egypt, noting that a wing of the Lebanese chapter launched rockets on Israel after Hamas’ Oct. 7, 2023, attack that initiated the war in Gaza. The order also stated that leaders of the group in Jordan have provided support to Hamas.
The Muslim Brotherhood was founded in Egypt in 1928 and was banned in that country in 2013. Jordan announced a sweeping ban on the Muslim Brotherhood in April.
Nathan Brown, a professor of political science and international affairs at George Washington University, said some U.S. allies, including the United Arab Emirates and Egypt, would likely welcome the designation. He added that it could strain relations with governments where the Brotherhood is tolerated, such as Qatar and Turkey.
Brown also suggested the designation could impact visa and asylum claims for individuals seeking entry into the U.S., Western European countries, and Canada, potentially giving immigration officials stronger grounds for suspicion.
Trump had considered designating the Muslim Brotherhood a terrorist organization in 2019. Florida and Texas designated the group as a terrorist organization earlier this year.
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