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2 clusters · 29 sources · 6 days · First seen 6 days ago · Last updated about 14 hours ago

Sanctions on Iranian financial institutions

Overview

Financial institutions linked to Iran are facing increased regulatory restrictions in the Middle East and neighboring regions.

In Turkey, the Banking Regulation and Supervision Agency (BDDK) revoked the operating license of the Istanbul main branch of Bank Mellat. The regulator stated the move was necessary because the bank’s operations posed a risk to the “stability and security of the financial system.” While not explicitly citing sanctions, the bank has faced long-standing restrictions from the United States, the European Union, and the United Kingdom.

Similarly, the Central Bank of the United Arab Emirates has imposed strict enforcement measures against Bank Melli Iran. Under Article 168-1-C of Federal Law No. 6 of 2025, the bank is prohibited from conducting any financial transactions to or from Iran, encompassing both regular fund transfers and trade financing. These regulatory actions follow inspections that revealed violations regarding anti-money laundering, terrorism financing, and proliferation financing requirements.

This enforcement follows a previous UAE decision in August to suspend all trade and financial transactions with Tehran due to regional tensions. US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent noted that pressure on Iran is being increased to “unprecedented levels” as the United States seeks the economic isolation of the Islamic Republic through various sanctions and secondary measures.

Entities

Iran · Central Bank of the United Arab Emirates · United Arab Emirates · Scott Bessent · Bank Melli

Claims

What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.

[● 6 SOURCES] Bank Melli is prohibited from processing financial transactions to or from Iran within the UAE. www.ad-hoc-news.de · www.upday.com · www.finanzen.net · www.albiladpress.com · ettelaat.net · +1 more
[● 6 SOURCES] The ban covers both regular transfers and the financing of trade business. www.ad-hoc-news.de · www.upday.com · www.finanzen.net · www.albiladpress.com · ettelaat.net · +1 more
[● 6 SOURCES] Bank Melli is accused of violating laws regarding money laundering, terrorism financing, and proliferation financing. www.ad-hoc-news.de · www.upday.com · www.finanzen.net · www.albiladpress.com · ettelaat.net · +1 more
[● 4 SOURCES] US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent stated that pressure on Iran is being increased to unprecedented levels. www.upday.com · www.finanzen.net · ettelaat.net · www.cash.ch
[● 2 SOURCES] The sanctions are based on Article 168-1-C of Federal Law No. 6 of 2025. www.upday.com · www.albiladpress.com

Timeline

about 14 hours ago

[INTERNATIONAL] 7 sources
UAE Central Bank bans Bank Melli Iran from transactions
The UAE Central Bank has banned Bank Melli Iran from conducting financial transactions to or from Iran, citing violations related to money laundering and terrorism financing regulations.
6 days ago

[BUSINESS] 22 sources
Bank Mellat's Turkish operating license revoked by BDDK
Turkey's banking regulator (BDDK) has revoked the operating license of Iran's Bank Mellat in Istanbul, citing risks to financial stability and depositor rights under national banking law.

Sources

24-ore.com · ad-hoc-news.de · albiladpress.com · alethonews.com · aljazeera.com · bedigest.com · besniyenibakis.com · cash.ch · diken.com.tr · dnevno.hr · ettelaat.net · finanzen.net · fr.iranfocus.com · fr.news.yahoo.com · ir.voanews.com · iranfocus.com · karar.com · m.tribune.gr · malatyaguncel.com · newmoney.gr · news.gooya.com · olympia.gr · ortadogugazetesi.com · rfi.fr · srpskainfo.com · thepressroom.gr · tr.euronews.com · upday.com · yenicaggazetesi.com.tr

This summary has been updated 1 time: see revision history