The U.S. Treasury sanctioned Iran-linked banks and an oil intermediary on Oct. 15, seeking to cut financial routes it says support Tehran, after a separate January action against security officials.
Treasury designated International Development Bank for Investment and Finance, an Iraq-based lender it said gave Iran access to U.S. dollars. The action also named two Iranian offshore banks, Jazireh International Bank Company and Chabahar International Bank Overseas Company.
Oil intermediary Sayyed Ruhollah Razavi was also designated. Treasury alleged that he helped arrange Iranian oil sales and move the proceeds. The department says shadow banking provides Iran with foreign currency that supports its military and proxies.
The Oct. 15 action followed a separate Jan. 30 round of sanctions against Iranian Interior Minister Eskandar Momeni Kalagari and four Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps officials: Majid Khademi, Ghorban Mohammad Valizadeh, Hossein Zare Kamali and Hamid Damghani. Treasury accused Iranian security forces of violence against protesters and said the four officials acted on the Guard’s behalf.
The January list also included businessman Babak Morteza Zanjani and two digital asset exchanges, Zedcex Exchange, Ltd. and Zedxion Exchange, Ltd. Treasury said addresses it attributed to the exchanges processed funds for wallets it linked to the Guard.
The designations block property belonging to those listed under U.S. jurisdiction and generally bar U.S. persons from transactions involving them. Treasury said certain dealings with the designated parties could also expose foreign financial institutions to sanctions.
Iran’s High Council for Human Rights raised a separate concern in an Oct. 19 statement. It warned that broad economic and banking restrictions can hinder patients’ access to medicines and treatment despite humanitarian exemptions.
Treasury has said it intends to keep pursuing financial channels it says Iran uses to evade sanctions.
