US slaps new Iran sanctions on Turkey-linked figures
The US Treasury has sanctioned individuals and firms operating in Iraq, Lebanon and Turkey for allegedly funneling money to Iran's Revolutionary Guard Corps and Hezbollah, while also tightening rules on Iran-related license applications.
RastinewsThe US Treasury Department imposed fresh sanctions on individuals and entities in Iraq, Lebanon and Turkey on Thursday, accusing them of providing financial support to Iran-backed armed groups.
Part of "Operation Economic Pariah"
The move falls under "Operation Economic Pariah," a campaign the Treasury launched on August 24. The department said the operation aims to cut off revenue streams Tehran uses to fund war efforts, missile development, cyberattacks and the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC).
The Treasury's Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) said the newly designated individuals and entities supported Kataib Hezbollah, a Shia paramilitary group in Iraq that operates under IRGC command, as well as Lebanon's Hezbollah.
Turkey-linked name added to the list
Among those sanctioned is Amir al-Makansi, who trades gold in Syria and reportedly maintains offices in Istanbul. The Treasury alleged al-Makansi supported Hezbollah-linked financial activity. On September 4, the department had already sanctioned an Iran-linked bank operating in Turkey along with two of its subsidiaries on similar grounds, claiming the entities processed tens of millions of dollars on behalf of the IRGC's Quds Force.
Bessent: we will push them out of the financial system
US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said the operation targets actors that continue doing business with Iran's government, adding: "We will remove them from the US financial system."
License applications also restricted
The decision also tightens licensing for Iran-related transactions. OFAC said most new applications of this kind will now be denied except in exceptional cases, and that it has begun rejecting a large share of pending applications as well. The department said the policy will remain in place until Iran shows a "change in behavior" on issues including blocking the Strait of Hormuz, attacks on US personnel in the Gulf, and its nuclear and conventional weapons programs. No end date was given.
Separate $1.43 million settlement
The Treasury also announced the same day that a US citizen agreed to pay $1.43 million over 39 transactions alleged to have violated Iran sanctions. The department said the payment settles the individual's potential civil liability.
The US launched "Operation Economic Pariah" in late August to step up economic pressure on Iran. As part of the campaign, Washington has in recent weeks repeatedly sanctioned Iran-linked financial institutions operating in Turkey.