ChainCatcher news, according to Financefeeds, the U.S. Treasury Department has announced sanctions against Iranian financial personnel and related foreign company networks, accusing them of helping Tehran transfer oil revenues through cryptocurrency.
The sanctions target two Iranian citizens, Alireza Derakhshan and Arash Estaki Alivand. U.S. officials stated that the two are key figures in a scheme involving the transfer of over 100 millions USD in cryptocurrency, with funds linked to Iranian oil sales. It is reported that these funds were moved through networks of shell companies in Hong Kong and the UAE, ultimately flowing back to support the Iranian government's operations and military equipment. The sanctions took effect on September 16, freezing the designated individuals' U.S.-related assets and prohibiting U.S. citizens and companies from transacting with them. The Treasury Department stated that Tehran is increasingly relying on alternative financial channels such as cryptocurrency to transfer funds in order to evade regulation and the banking system.