US Treasury convenes global financial institutions to advance Iran sanctions

The U.S. Treasury's Financial Crimes Enforcement Network convened a meeting of global financial institutions to advance Operation Economic Outcast, a campaign aimed at isolating Iran and limiting its funding for Middle East conflicts. Treasury stated the event provided financial institutions with information to disrupt revenue streams and procurement networks linked to the Iranian regime.

This initiative is part of a broader effort by the U.S. administration to exert financial pressure on Tehran. Earlier, the U.S. Treasury proposed a rule to cut the Emirati branches of Egypt's Banque Misr off from the American financial system, signaling a reluctance to fully sanction major trading partners like China and India that continue to deal with Iran. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent indicated that further actions against banks are possible, stating that financial pressure would be applied if necessary.

Operation Economic Outcast, initiated at the direction of President Trump, targets the financial lifelines sustaining the Iranian regime and the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps. The Treasury has identified networks, facilitators, and financial channels used by Iran for oil smuggling, sanctions evasion, and funding terrorism. The U.S. government is engaging with countries worldwide, setting timelines for them to cease Iran-related activities, with the threat of U.S. action if they fail to comply. The Treasury has also expanded secondary sanctions risk for Iran-related activities, issuing determinations against critical sectors including digital assets, technology, gold, aviation, and shipping.