U.S. Blacklists Muslim Brotherhood in 3 Nations

On Tuesday, January 13, 2026, the United States officially designated the Muslim Brotherhood branches in Egypt, Lebanon, and Jordan as terrorist organizations. This high-profile decision by the U.S. government marks a “maximum pressure” campaign against the transnational Islamist movement. Furthermore, the move fulfills a long-standing request from key Arab allies and American conservatives.

The Background: A Century of Conflict

To understand the gravity of this designation, we must look at the movement’s origins. The Muslim Brotherhood was founded in Egypt in 1928 by Hassan al-Banna. Initially, its goal was to establish a unified Islamic caliphate under Sharia law.

The movement reached its political peak in 2012. Following the fall of Hosni Mubarak, Mohamed Morsi became Egypt’s first democratically elected president. However, his reign was short-lived. In 2013, General (now President) Abdel Fattah al-Sissi overthrew Morsi. This led to a massive crackdown, forcing many members to flee to strongholds like Turkey.

Why the U.S. Acted Now: The 2023 Connection

According to the U.S. State and Treasury Departments, the designation is a direct response to regional destabilization. Specifically, officials pointed to the group’s alleged roles following the October 7, 2023 attacks on Israel.

Allegations of Material Support:

• Hamas Links: Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent stated that the Egyptian and Jordanian branches provided critical financial support to Hamas.

• The Lebanon Alliance: In Lebanon, the Sunni-based branch reportedly allied with Hezbollah to launch rocket attacks against Israel.

• The Jordan Stockpile: By April 2025, Jordan had already banned the group after uncovering alleged weapon stockpiles and drone assembly plots.

Economic and Legal Consequences

Secretary of State Marco Rubio confirmed that this designation triggers immediate and severe sanctions. These measures are designed to exclude the group from the international financial system.

The primary sanctions include:

1. Asset Freezing: The U.S. will block any property or funds held by the group within American territory.

2. Transaction Bans: It is now a criminal offense for any American entity to conduct business with these branches.

3. Travel Restrictions: Members are strictly barred from entering the United States.

4. Secondary Sanctions: Foreign banks that continue to process their money risk losing access to the U.S. financial system.

Reactions: A Polarized Response

The response to Washington’s move has been divided across the Middle East.

The Brotherhood’s Stance: The Egyptian branch issued a statement vowing to challenge the decision in court. They argued the designation is “disconnected from reality.” Additionally, they claimed the decision resulted from foreign pressure from Israel and the UAE.

Government Support: In contrast, Egypt’s Foreign Ministry hailed the decision as a “pivotal step.” They maintain that the Brotherhood is the ideological root of modern extremism.

The Regional Impact: Expert Lorenzo Vidino suggests this will put immense pressure on U.S. allies. Countries like Turkey and Qatar must now decide if they will continue to host organizations that Washington labels as terrorists.

Conclusion: A Turning Point

The 2026 U.S. designation marks a definitive end to years of diplomatic ambiguity. By targeting specific regional branches, the U.S. aims to dismantle the financial networks that have sustained the movement’s global influence.