US investigates whether Obama blocked Hezbollah ‘narco-terror’ investigations to aid Iran deal
US Attorney General John Sessions is looking into Obama-era cases after claims emerged about his administration meddling in investigations
Us Attorney General John Sessions has ordered the Justice Department to investigate whether the Obama administration thwarted drug prosecutions related to Hezbollah for fear of jeopardising a nuclear deal with Iran.
The announcement comes as it emerges a team of prosecutors has been formed to investigate drug trafficking and money laundering - dubbed “narco-terrorism” - linked to the Iranian-backed militant movement.
The US considers Hezbollah to be a terrorist group and an Iranian proxy.
Sessions said the team will review evidence from the Obama-era Drug Enforcement Administration programme Project Cassandra.
The review was decided on in December, after Politico reported the programme had been targeting Hezbollah’s trafficking of cocaine but was stymied by Obama officials.
“The Justice Department will leave no stone unturned to eliminate threats to our citizens from terrorist organisations and to stem the tide of the devastating drug crisis,” said Sessions.