WASHINGTON — The United States Treasury Department has announced the seizure of approximately $500 million in cryptocurrency assets linked to Iran, marking a sharp escalation in a new sanctions offensive dubbed “Operation Economic Fury.”
Speaking to Fox News on Wednesday, U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent confirmed that the crackdown was initiated under direct orders from President Donald Trump. Bessent stated that the seizure of digital assets is only the first phase of a broader campaign to cripple Tehran’s financial networks.
“We have successfully brought nearly $500 million in crypto-assets under our control,” Bessent said. “Furthermore, we are moving to freeze Iranian-linked bank accounts across the globe to ensure maximum economic pressure.”
Pressure on Oil Markets
The Treasury Secretary also signaled that Washington is preparing a fresh wave of secondary sanctions targeting international buyers of Iranian crude oil. The move aims to further isolate Tehran from the global energy market.
Tehran’s Defiance
The Iranian leadership has met the announcement with sharp criticism. Mohammad Ghalibaf, the Speaker of the Iranian Parliament, dismissed the Treasury’s claims as “garbage,” suggesting the move is a desperate attempt at economic sabotage.
Iranian officials also warned that Washington’s aggressive stance would backfire on the West, asserting that the disruption of Iranian exports would inevitably lead to a spike in global oil prices.
