U.S. Treasury Warns Nations to Cut Iranian Digital Asset Links

The U.S. Treasury announced Operation Economic Outcast, a whole‑of‑government effort aimed at crippling Iran’s economy by targeting its use of digital assets. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent warned that any individual, entity, or foreign government that facilitates money‑laundering or sanctions evasion on behalf of Iran could face secondary sanctions, regardless of location.

Operation Economic Outcast Targets Digital Assets

The Treasury now treats digital assets as a “critical sector” alongside technology, gold, aviation and shipping. Under Executive Order 13902, the Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) can sanction any person worldwide involved in prohibited activities.

First Wave Includes Iranian Cyber Group

In the initial round of actions, the Treasury sanctioned a cyber group linked to Iran’s Ministry of Intelligence and Security (MOIS) for multiple cryptocurrency thefts targeting U.S. institutions. Named individuals include Mojtaba Ghal’eh‑Kuhi, Behzad Mesri, Keyvan Fayyaz Ghareh Blagh, Saber Shahbazi Balujeh, Mohammad Reza Kadkhoda’i and Arman Kahzadian.

Foreign Nations Given Deadlines

Countries identified as facilitating Iranian digital‑asset activity—such as China, Russia, India, Iraq and Turkey—will receive defined timelines to cease the identified activities. Failure to comply could trigger U.S. secondary sanctions.

Previous Crypto Sanctions Against Iran

Earlier in the year, the Treasury reported the seizure of nearly $1 billion in Iranian crypto funds, including $344 million in USDT taken from two Tron addresses in cooperation with Tether.