Washington Imposes Sanctions on Digital Asset Trading Platforms Involved in Financing the Iranian Regime
The United States announced on Friday the imposition of sanctions on six entities and one individual involved in trading digital assets to launder money for the Iranian regime. State Department spokesperson Tommy Pigott said in a statement, “Following Iran’s attacks on commercial vessels in the Strait of Hormuz, the United States is sanctioning six entities and one individual for supporting illegal activities related to digital assets.” Pigott affirmed that Washington would continue “to deprive the regime of the resources it needs to threaten its neighbors, innocent shipping, and to advance its nuclear ambitions.” He noted that the sanctions target “two major digital asset trading platforms exploited by the Iranian regime to maintain its connection to the international financial system, as well as companies supporting illegal digital asset activities and companies operating across multiple jurisdictions.”
Earlier on Friday, the U.S. Treasury Department imposed sanctions on a network of exchange houses and shell companies accused of helping Iran circumvent sanctions by facilitating the transfer of hundreds of millions of dollars through the international financial system.
In a related development, the U.S. Senate on Friday approved a bipartisan bill supported by both Republicans and Democrats that would impose stricter sanctions on Russia and major buyers of Russian oil, as well as extend existing sanctions on Iran. The bill passed with 86 votes in favor and 11 against. It had been a key legislative priority for the late Republican Senator Lindsey Graham, who died suddenly in mid-August. The legislation had been stalled and shrouded in uncertainty for most of the week as senators engaged in behind-the-scenes negotiations over amendments. Some senators from both parties expressed concerns about the potential for further tariff increases on major trading partners.
According to the U.S. newspaper The Hill, if enacted, the measure would impose stricter sanctions on Russia and its oil and gas buyers than those previously imposed by the United States, while also extending existing sanctions on Iran, aiming to exert economic pressure on both countries. Notably, the Iran-related provision was added later at the request of U.S. President Donald Trump to prevent the expiration of long-standing sanctions before the end of the year.
Most senators had met with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on July 28, where they reviewed the rationale for increased military aid and the passage of the sanctions bill.
