US Steps Up Pressure on Iran's Crypto, Shadow Banking and Oil Networks

US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said Washington is intensifying efforts to squeeze Iran's financial system, according to The Wall Street Journal. The push focuses on shadow-banking channels, access to cryptocurrencies and networks tied to Iran's oil trade. US officials said the measures have already disrupted revenue flows worth tens of billions of dollars. The broader aim is to choke off funding routes linked to Iran-backed regional proxy groups. US sanctions exposure could now extend to any entity that facilitates financial transfers or other flows to Tehran.