US blacklists Muslim Brotherhood branches

WASHINGTON (MNTV) — The United States has formally designated Muslim Brotherhood organizations operating in Egypt, Lebanon and Jordan as terrorist groups, escalating pressure on movements Washington accuses of opposing Israeli interests across the Middle East.

The move follows an executive order issued by U.S. President Donald Trump in November directing his administration to begin the process of blacklisting the groups. 

U.S. Treasury Department classified the Egyptian and Jordanian branches as “specially designated global terrorists,” while the State Department imposed the more severe “foreign terrorist organization” designation on the Lebanese group.

U.S. authorities cited alleged links to the Palestinian group Hamas and what they described as activities targeting Israeli interests as the basis for the designations. 

In a statement, the Treasury Department said Muslim Brotherhood branches present themselves as civic organizations while “explicitly and enthusiastically” supporting groups it labels as terrorist.

Salah Abdel Haq, acting general guide of the Egyptian Muslim Brotherhood, rejected the U.S. decision, saying the group would pursue all legal options to challenge the designation. 

He denied accusations of terrorism and argued the move lacked credible evidence, arguing it reflected external political pressure rather than an objective assessment.

Abdel Haq also maintained that lobbying by Israel and the United Arab Emirates played a role in the Trump administration’s decision, saying the designation would harm millions of Muslims worldwide.

The new measures make it illegal under U.S. law to provide material support to the designated organizations and impose financial sanctions aimed at restricting their legitimate funding. 

The foreign terrorist organization label applied to the Lebanese branch also includes a ban on members entering the United States.

The Muslim Brotherhood, founded in Egypt in 1928 by Islamic scholar Hassan al-Banna, has branches and affiliated welfare organizations across the region, including political parties and social branches, supporting peaceful political participation.

In Lebanon, the Brotherhood-linked al-Jamaa al-Islamiya holds seats in parliament and has operated legally for decades. 

In a statement, the organization said the U.S. designation was a political decision with no legal standing inside Lebanon, adding that it serves Israeli interests amid ongoing wars Israel unleashes.

In Jordan, the Brotherhood’s political branch, the Islamic Action Front, won 31 parliamentary seats in the 2024 elections, although the government later banned the organization, only citing security concerns.

Egypt’s Foreign Ministry welcomed Washington’s decision, calling it a significant step that reflects what it described as the group’s extremist ideology and threat to regional and international security. 

The Egyptian acceptance comes amid repression on opposition by Egypt’s president Abdel Fattah el-Sisi, who usurped power in a coup.  

The Muslim Brotherhood has been outlawed in Egypt since 2013, following the military overthrow of former elected President Mohamed Morsi.

Analysts note that the U.S. designation could have wider implications, particularly in Western countries, where critics argue similar labels have been used to target Muslim advocacy groups. 

In the United States, Republican-led states including Texas and Florida have taken steps against Muslim civil rights organizations, moves that have been challenged in court.