The United States has frozen more than $131 million in cryptocurrency connected to Iran, intensifying efforts to disrupt the country’s financial networks as tensions across the Middle East continue to escalate.
US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent confirmed on Tuesday that authorities ordered the freeze of cryptocurrency held in wallets linked to the Central Bank of Iran. Earlier the same day, blockchain investigator Specter reported that Tether had frozen four Tron wallets containing approximately $131 million in USDt (USDT), citing on-chain data. Bessent later confirmed the wallets’ connection to Iran’s central bank.
In a statement shared on X, Bessent said the Treasury Department remains committed to targeting Iran’s illicit financial operations, including the use of digital assets. He added that the US would continue tracking and blocking funds generated through what it described as illegal revenue channels.
The move comes as the fragile ceasefire between the United States and Iran has broken down, leading to renewed military activity across the region. Washington said it has reinstated its blockade of Iranian ports, while US Central Command announced a fresh round of strikes targeting Iran.
Meanwhile, Iran’s military claimed it launched drone attacks on US military facilities at Al Azraq Air Base in Jordan, further raising concerns over the growing regional conflict.
