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3. U.S. Designates Muslim Brotherhood Branches in Egypt, Jordan, and Lebanon as 'Terror' Groups

The United States designated three Middle Eastern branches of the Muslim Brotherhood as terrorist organizations on Tuesday, including on the group’s Egyptian, Jordanian, and Lebanese branches, alleging they pose a threat to U.S. interests.

The State Department designated the Lebanese branch as a "foreign terrorist organization" (FTO), the most severe classification under US law, which criminalises the provision of any material support to the group. 

Separately, the Treasury Department listed the Jordanian and Egyptian branches as "specially designated global terrorists", accusing them of providing support to Hamas.

"These designations reflect the opening actions of an ongoing, sustained effort to thwart Muslim Brotherhood chapters’ violence and destabilisation wherever it occurs," U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said in a statement, adding that Washington would "use all available tools" to cut off the groups' access to resources.

The designations make it illegal to provide material support to the groups. They also bar most current and former members from entering the United States and impose economic sanctions designed to choke off their revenue streams.

The designations follow an executive order signed last year by President Donald Trump directing Rubio and Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent to determine the most effective way to sanction Muslim Brotherhood–affiliated organizations.

U.S. officials have long accused the Brotherhood and its offshoots of engaging in or supporting violence, a claim that the group has repeatedly denied.

The region responds

Cairo hailed on Tuesday the United States' designations, calling it "a pivotal step" against extremism. In a statement, the Egyptian foreign ministry said the decision "reflects the danger of this group and its extremist ideology and the direct threat it poses to regional and international security and stability".

It added that the move aligns with Egypt's "longstanding position" toward the group, which it classifies as a terrorist organisation "based on violence, extremism and incitement".

In parallel, Saudi Foreign Ministry welcomed the designation, stressing that Saudi Arabia condemns all forms or terrorism and extremism.