The United States has imposed sanctions on Iran's shadow banking system

The U.S. government has imposed sanctions on 35 entities and individuals who facilitated the operation of Iran’s shadow banking system and collected fees for passage through the Strait of Hormuz. The restrictions target networks that allowed the Iranian armed forces and the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps to receive funds from the illegal sale of oil and to purchase components for missiles. 

This was reported by Reuters, citing data from the U.S. Department of the Treasury.

The Office of Foreign Assets Control warned that any companies making “customs” payments to the Iranian government or the IRGC for passage through the Strait of Hormuz will face severe sanctions. According to Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, shadow financial networks serve as a pillar for Iran’s armed forces and fuel violence in the Middle East. The measures are intended to block Iranian entities’ access to the international financial system and cut off funding channels for weapons development. Additionally, the U.S. continues to monitor Russia’s attempts to use Iranian financial schemes to circumvent international restrictions.

Iran stated that a possible ceasefire in the war with the U.S. would only make sense if the naval blockade is lifted and Israel ceases hostilities.

U.S. President Donald Trump stated that Washington is not setting strict deadlines for reaching a ceasefire or resuming negotiations with Iran.

Prior to this, U.S. President Donald Trump stated that Iran has repeatedly violated the ceasefire since it was established between Washington and Tehran. According to Trump, there have been numerous incidents that cast doubt on Iran’s compliance with the ceasefire agreements.