US Unleashes 'Economic Outcast' Sanctions Campaign Against Iran

The US Treasury Department has launched Operation Economic Outcast, a comprehensive sanctions framework targeting five sectors critical to Iran's nuclear weapons program and economic survival. The operation aims to cut off Tehran's financial lifelines by expanding secondary sanctions exposure on digital assets, technology, gold, aviation, and shipping.

Operation Economic Outcast involves the Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) sanctioning over 60 entities, individuals, and vessels linked to Iranian oil smuggling, nuclear procurement, missile operations, and cyber activities. The Treasury has identified key facilitators operating in countries such as the UAE, Hong Kong, China, Singapore, and Europe.

Bank Melli Iran, the country's largest state-owned bank, must close its branches within a defined timeline, according to the operation's demands. This is part of Washington's 'zero-leakage' strategy to prevent Iranian money from moving through front companies and shell banks to evade existing restrictions.