US Seizes Nearly Half a Billion Dollars in Crypto Linked to Iran

New York. The United States claims to have seized cryptocurrency assets worth nearly half a billion dollars related to Iran. US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent stated that Washington's economic pressure campaign has put the Tehran government in crisis. 

In an interview with Fox News, he said that cryptocurrency assets worth approximately $350 million were seized, and an additional $100 million was seized recently. According to him, the total seizure amount has now reached nearly $500 million, and bank accounts worldwide are also being frozen.

He also informed that President Donald Trump had directed the launch of an economic pressure campaign called "Operation Economic Fury" last March and ordered to increase the pressure about three weeks ago. The United States is currently pressuring other countries and companies to sever ties with Iran. The US administration has warned countries purchasing Iranian oil, indicating that secondary sanctions could be imposed if necessary.

According to Bessent, this economic campaign and the US naval blockade at Iranian ports will have a long-term impact on Iran's economy. Meanwhile, Iran has criticized the US campaign, reacting that such a move will further increase oil prices. Iran's Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf commented on social media platform X, calling Bessent's suggestion useless.