The US Treasury Department has imposed new sanctions on individuals and entities accused of helping Hezbollah and Iranian proxy groups operate across the Middle East.
The latest action is part of “Operation Economic Outcast”, a campaign launched by Washington to restrict Iran’s access to money used for military operations, missile programmes, cyber activities and the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC).
Which Countries Were Targeted?
The Treasury Department’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) targeted networks operating in:
• Iraq
• United Arab Emirates
• Lebanon
• Turkey
US authorities said the sanctioned entities supported Kataib Hezbollah, an Iraqi Shia paramilitary group linked to the IRGC, and Hezbollah, the Lebanese Shia political and militant organisation. The US Treasury also announced a $1.43 million settlement with a US citizen over alleged violations of Iran sanctions.
US Tightens Restrictions On Iran
OFAC has also adopted a stricter approach towards licences related to Iran, saying most pending requests would be rejected except in exceptional cases. The Treasury said the policy would remain in place until Iran changes what Washington described as its objectionable activities, including actions involving the Strait of Hormuz, attacks on US personnel and regional partners, and its nuclear and conventional weapons programmes.
Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said the campaign was aimed at organisations helping Iran finance militant groups, evade sanctions or move money through international networks.
Iran Sanctions Impact Oil Exports
The latest sanctions come as Washington continues its broader economic and military pressure campaign against Tehran. According to a US official, Iranian oil loadings have fallen sharply, from around 1.8 million barrels per day in January and February to about 0.2 million barrels per day over the past 30 days.
The official also said Iranian oil held at sea had declined significantly, while the Iranian rial had lost around 30% of its value against the US dollar since the war began. However, some analysts believe the latest sanctions may have only a limited effect on Iran’s ability to access foreign currency.
Houthis Not Included In Latest Sanctions
The new measures did not target the Iran-aligned Houthis, despite their growing role in regional tensions and disruption around the Red Sea. The Houthis recently seized control of Yemen’s port city of Mocha and expanded their presence along the Red Sea coast, increasing concerns over shipping through the Bab al-Mandab Strait, a key global trade route.
