Severing Iran’s Illicit Cash Pipeline

The United States is taking decisive action to cut the financial lifelines that sustain Iran’s ruling elite. Today, the U.S. Department of the Treasury took steps to dismantle a web of currency exchange houses and shell companies that helped Iran secretly move hundreds of millions of dollars through the international financial system. Through these networks, Tehran accessed oil revenue and evaded sanctions designed to curb its destabilizing activities, laundering funds using front companies.

This action demonstrates the Trump Administration’s continued maximum pressure on Iran by cutting off resources the regime uses to threaten regional stability, support terrorism, and advance its military capabilities. By targeting the banks, exchange houses, and individual facilitators that operate this illicit system, the United States makes clear that those who help Iran evade sanctions will face serious consequences.

The United States remains committed to working with partners across the region and the world to close every avenue Iran uses to fund its destabilizing activities. As the regime’s economic mismanagement and corruption become increasingly apparent to the Iranian people, actions like today’s further isolate the regime from the international financial system and reinforce that Iran’s continued support for terrorism and regional aggression will carry a steep and lasting cost.