US Warns Foreign Banks Iran Sanctions Could Hit Without Advance Notice

The US Treasury has warned foreign banks that sanctions tied to dealings with sanctioned Iranian financial institutions could be imposed at any time without advance notice.
The tougher stance comes as Washington increases financial pressure on Iran across both traditional banking and crypto channels. Treasury is also targeting a Russia-linked network allegedly used by Iran to bypass sanctions.
Iran-linked crypto activity totaled roughly $10 billion last year, according to TRM Labs, while Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent says Iran loaded zero crude oil onto tankers last month.
The warning raises compliance risk for global financial institutions maintaining exposure to Iranian counterparties.