Washington targets Iranian officials and exchange networks following tanker assaults in the Strait of Hormuz

Any US-based dealings with the designated firms must be disclosed to the Treasury's Office of Foreign Assets Control.

Signage is seen at the United States Department of the Treasury headquarters in Washington, DC, US, August 29, 2020.

(photo credit: REUTERS/ANDREW KELLY/FILE PHOTO)

ByAARON GLICK

JULY 11, 2026 02:40

The US Treasury Department announced fresh sanctions against several individuals and entities tied to Iran, according to an official statement released on Friday.

Among those designated is Ali Ansari, described as a key financial supporter of Iranian Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei and other high-ranking figures.

The Treasury states that Ansari has helped embed widespread embezzlement inside Iran's state structures, diverting public health resources toward elites and the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps.

Based in Dubai, Ansari is accused of channeling regime money into investments across the United Arab Emirates, Europe, and other jurisdictions not currently under sanctions.

Shadow exchange houses that rely on shell companies to transfer billions of dollars each year for Iran's already-restricted banks were also hit by the measures.

Three exchange houses, seven associated individuals, and two front companies located in Hong Kong and the UAE were included in the action.

Any US-based involvement with the sanctioned entities must be reported to the Treasury's Office of Foreign Assets Control.

Bessent: Washington will safeguard assets for the Iranian people

"The so-called Supreme Leader is hiding in seclusion while his regime crumbles," Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said. "Treasury will continue using every tool at its disposal to isolate him and other regime elites from the global financial system."

"We will preserve these assets for the Iranian people," he added.

The new sanctions follow the revocation earlier this week of a general license permitting Iranian oil sales, a step taken after Iran's strikes on commercial vessels in the Strait of Hormuz.

The attacks on three ships involved at least five Iranian drones and missiles, according to a source.

Oil prices climbed more than 5 percent after the announcement, and the Treasury indicated a wind-down period lasting until July 17 to finish ongoing transactions.

Amichai Stein and Reuters contributed to this report.