US designates Muslim Brotherhood branches as terrorists over Hamas ties and Israel attacks

The Trump administration has formally designated three branches of the Muslim Brotherhood as terrorist organisations, a move that makes supporting the groups a criminal offence and sharpens Washington’s stance against Islamist networks linked to Hamas.

On Tuesday, the US State Department and Treasury announced sanctions against Muslim Brotherhood chapters operating in Egypt, Jordan and Lebanon. US officials said the groups posed a threat to American interests and regional security, particularly through their alleged support for Hamas and attacks on Israel.

The Lebanese branch was given the most serious classification – a Foreign Terrorist Organisation – which means providing it with any material support is now a criminal offence under US law. The Egyptian and Jordanian branches were designated as Specially Designated Global Terrorists for supporting Hamas.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio said the move marked the start of a broader campaign against Muslim Brotherhood groups accused of violence and destabilisation.

“These designations reflect the opening actions of an ongoing, sustained effort to thwart Muslim Brotherhood chapters’ violence and destabilisation wherever it occurs,” he said. “The United States will use all available tools to deprive these Muslim Brotherhood chapters of the resources to engage in or support terrorism.”

Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said the Brotherhood “has a long-standing record of perpetrating acts of terror”, adding that the administration would “deploy the full scope of its authorities to disrupt, dismantle, and defeat terrorist networks wherever they operate”.

US officials said the decision was influenced by the role of some Brotherhood-linked groups following Hamas’ 7 October 2023 attack on Israel. An executive order cited a wing of the Lebanese chapter for launching rockets at Israel in the aftermath of the massacre, which sparked the Gaza war. Leaders of the Jordanian branch were also accused of providing support to Hamas.

The move is expected to be welcomed by Israel and by Arab states that have long opposed the Muslim Brotherhood, including Egypt and the United Arab Emirates. Egypt’s Foreign Ministry praised the decision as “a significant step” against extremism and said the group posed “a direct threat” to regional and international security.

The Muslim Brotherhood denies involvement in terrorism. The Egyptian branch said it “categorically rejects this designation” and will challenge it legally. Lebanon’s Al Jamaa al Islamiya said it is a lawful political and social organisation and claimed the US decision “has no legal effect within Lebanon”.

Experts say the designations could also affect immigration cases. Professor Nathan Brown of George Washington University said the move could make it harder for Muslim Brotherhood members to secure visas or asylum in the US, Europe and Canada.

“I think this would give immigration officials a stronger basis for suspicion,” he said, adding that courts may be less likely to challenge official action against Brotherhood-linked applicants.

Trump previously considered designating the Muslim Brotherhood during his first term, but did not act. Pressure to take action increased after 7 October, with supporters urging tougher measures against groups backing Hamas.

Two US states, Florida and Texas, have already designated the Muslim Brotherhood as a terrorist organisation this year.

For Jewish communities, the decision is likely to be seen as a clear signal of tougher US action against groups accused of supporting Hamas and targeting Israel in the aftermath of the deadliest attack on Jews since the Holocaust.