Scott Bessent Announces $130 Million Crypto Freeze Targeting Iran Central Bank

The US Treasury froze greater than $130 million in cryptocurrency tied to Iran’s Central Bank.

The Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) sanctioned a number of wallets linked to the Central Bank of Iran (CBI). 

US Treasury Targets Iran’s Central Bank Crypto Wallets

Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent introduced the freeze in a put up on X. Bessent framed it as a part of a broader effort to counter Iran’s abuse of digital property.

“We will proceed to aggressively observe the cash and deny the Iranian regime entry to the proceeds of its illicit income schemes,” he said.

The transfer follows a bigger motion in April. Stablecoin issuer Tether helped the US government block $344 million unfold throughout two wallets. A US official tied that freeze to Iranian state actors.

Sanctions Hit Shamkhani’s Shipping Network

The crypto freeze accompanied a broader sanctions package. OFAC named greater than 50 people, entities, and vessels.

The targets function inside Mohammad Hossein Shamkhani’s community, a serious drive behind Iran’s oil exports. Treasury has now sanctioned over 200 individuals and entities below its patronage.

Bessent described the Shamkhani community as one of many regime’s most worthwhile engines, constructed on “deception.” The designations fall below Executive Order 13902, which targets Iran’s core financial sectors.

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The Iranian regime survives on deception, and the Shamkhani community is considered one of its most worthwhile engines. Treasury is shutting down the monetary infrastructure that permits the regime to proceed its threats to U.S. nationwide safety and world transport. https://t.co/F2PCLFax1r

— Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent (@SecScottBessent) July 14, 2026

US Resumes Naval Blockade on Iran

The sanctions landed as navy stress intensified. US Central Command (CENTCOM) resumed a naval blockade of Iranian ports.

The blockade took impact at 4 p.m. ET. CENTCOM stated greater than 20 US Navy warships and a whole bunch of plane now function throughout the Middle East.

Earlier that afternoon, US forces launched recent strikes to degrade Iranian capabilities used to assault business transport within the Strait of Hormuz. The mixed monetary and navy actions signal a widening pressure campaign.

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