US Treasury Targets Digital Assets and Aviation in Iran Sanctions Push

Washington is intensifying efforts to dismantle Iran’s ability to move funds outside conventional banking channels. Following the G20 gathering in North Carolina, Bessent issued a blunt warning to governments and businesses worldwide: sever ties with Tehran or face the consequences. While the administration has not yet named specific firms, the Treasury is actively scrutinizing intermediaries that facilitate aircraft leasing and maritime transactions, both of which have increasingly relied on digital currencies to bypass traditional oversight.

The U.S. has already frozen or seized nearly $1 billion in Iran-linked cryptocurrency since the current conflict began. Previous actions include the freezing of over $130 million in USDT held in wallets connected to Iran’s central bank and the blacklisting of major domestic exchanges like Nobitex. Under Operation Economic Outcast, the Office of Foreign Assets Control now holds broad authority to sanction actors—including those outside Iran—who utilize digital assets to assist the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps or facilitate oil sales. As the administration prepares a fresh package of restrictions, potentially including new measures against Iranian banks, the Treasury is signaling that no sector supporting Tehran’s infrastructure is off-limits.