Washington intensifies pressure on Iranian decentralised financial networks
According to a report by the Walla website, the US Treasury, in coordination with Canada, has blacklisted eight digital asset service providers accused of facilitating fund transfers for Iran and the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC). Washington alleges that these entities have assisted in bypassing international financial restrictions by converting rials and other currencies into digital assets. The report also highlights more serious allegations, including money laundering linked to drug trafficking and the use of shell companies to evade detection. Analysts view this move as part of an economic exclusion operation aimed at restricting financial resources available to Tehran and its regional proxies. These sanctions signal a shift in US regulatory focus from traditional banking systems toward stricter oversight of emerging cryptocurrency markets. For Iran, these developments mean reduced access to international liquidity and increased transaction costs under sanctions. While the US government has warned of punitive measures against any entity collaborating with Tehran, this approach may negatively impact Iran's financial interactions with smaller trading partners that rely on digital platforms. Ultimately, these sanctions demonstrate that Washington remains committed to a strategy of maximum financial pressure, aiming to tighten the economic environment for Iranian military entities by closing digital loopholes.