U.S. Targets Iran-Linked Crypto Activity as Treasury Expands Sanctions Authority 

The U.S. Treasury has expanded its Iran sanctions authority to cover the cryptocurrency, technology, gold, aviation and shipping sectors, allowing the Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) to target people and entities determined to operate in those areas regardless of location. 

OFAC also imposed sanctions on nearly 60 Iran-linked individuals, entities and vessels, according to the Treasury. 

Among those targeted was Ukrainian shipping broker Ivan Obukhov, whom the Treasury accused of facilitating Iranian oil sales on behalf of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps-Quds Force. 

The Treasury said Obukhov handled more than $100 million in crypto payments linked to the oil sales since 2023. 

Source: PublicNow and OFAC