United States Designates Muslim Brotherhood Branches in Egypt, Jordan and Lebanon as Terrorist Organizations

U.S. designations of Brotherhood

The United States has formally designated branches of the Muslim Brotherhood in Egypt, Jordan and Lebanon under terrorism-related sanctions, a move the State Department and Treasury said was aimed at cutting off funding and criminalizing material support.

The White House applied the most severe U.S. legal label to Lebanon’s wing as a foreign terrorist organization (FTO), while listing the Jordanian and Egyptian branches as specially designated global terrorists (SDGT), and senior U.S. officials including Secretary of State Marco Rubio described the step as the start of a sustained effort to disrupt Brotherhood-linked violence and destabilization.

U.S. statements also cite an executive order directing reviews of Brotherhood chapters after the Oct. 7, 2023 attacks and say the measures will largely bar current and former members from entering the U.S. and impose economic sanctions intended to choke off revenue.

US designations and reactions

U.S. officials justified the designations by pointing to alleged links between Brotherhood branches and militant activity, including accusations that a Lebanese affiliate fired rockets at Israel after Oct. 7, 2023, and that Jordanian and Egyptian figures aided or funded Hamas.

The Treasury and State statements framed these claims as grounds for sanctions and immigration restrictions, while Brotherhood leaders and representatives in Lebanon and Egypt strongly rejected the move, denying the allegations and arguing that domestic legal frameworks, not foreign designations, should determine their status.

Regional consequences of Brotherhood designations

Regional politics and the Brotherhood's domestic footprints complicate the impact of the U.S. move.

In Lebanon, the Muslim Brotherhood affiliate al-Jamaa al-Islamiya holds parliamentary seats, and in Jordan the Islamic Action Front won 31 seats in the 2024 elections despite being banned.

In Egypt, the Brotherhood won the country's only democratically held presidential election in 2012 before being outlawed in 2013.

Analysts quoted in several outlets warn the designations could be welcomed by governments such as Egypt and the UAE but may strain ties with other partners and have knock-on effects for immigration and asylum claims for people accused of past ties to the movement.

U.S. policy and reactions

Coverage differs markedly on the internal U.S. debate and likely diplomatic fallout.

Middle East Eye reports earlier objections within parts of the U.S. government, including the Defense Department and career legal and diplomatic staff.

Other sources stress the policy's backing by senior political figures and link it to a Trump administration executive order.

Several outlets also highlight how the move triggered domestic political actions in the U.S.

Republican governors in states such as Texas and Florida labeled the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) as "terrorist" after the federal decree, and CAIR has filed suit in response.

Effects of Brotherhood designation

Observers warn the designation will reshape regional calculations and could intensify political polarization at home.

Some analysts say it will strengthen relations with allied governments that have long opposed the Brotherhood.

Other analysts caution it may complicate U.S. engagement with partners who treat Brotherhood-linked groups as legitimate political actors.

The Brotherhood rejects the charges and points to its claim of renouncing violence.

Critics argue the designation is part of a broader U.S. campaign against perceived threats tied to Israel's rivals, leaving legal, diplomatic and human-rights implications unresolved and contested.