Iran has transferred approximately $200 million to Hezbollah for payments to Lebanese families displaced during the war with Israel, marking the terrorist organization’s first major aid distribution to its support base since the conflict began, Reuters reported Wednesday.

Hezbollah plans to distribute initial payments of approximately $3,000 to some 50,000 families, prioritizing residents of villages that were destroyed or remain inaccessible because of the fighting.

Getting the Iranian money into Lebanon has become considerably more difficult because of sanctions and an international crackdown on financial networks connected to Hezbollah.

Sources said intermediaries moving the latest $200 million charged fees of approximately 20%, roughly four times the normal rate, because of the increased risks associated with transferring Iranian money to Hezbollah.

The transfer comes as Hezbollah attempts to rebuild after suffering extensive losses in its war with Israel while continuing to provide payments to its fighters and families of terrorists killed in the fighting.

(YWN World Headquarters – NYC)