US sanctions Iran wallets Tether freezes $344M USDT

The United States Treasury has sanctioned two blockchain wallets linked to Iran and coordinated with Tether to freeze $344 million in USDT as part of a broader enforcement action.

Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said the move aims to disrupt financial networks tied to Tehran and prevent the regime from moving funds through alternative channels.

The action forms part of “Operation Economic Fury,” a wider US strategy targeting Iran’s ability to generate and transfer funds, including through oil trade and shadow shipping networks.

Tether confirmed it executed the freeze after receiving information from US authorities, preventing further movement of funds across the identified wallets.

“USDT is not a safe haven for illicit activity,”

Said Paolo Ardoino.

The company said it has worked with more than 340 law enforcement agencies globally and has frozen over $4.4 billion in assets tied to illicit or sanctioned activity to date.

The case underscores how stablecoin issuers are increasingly working with regulators to monitor and restrict blockchain-based financial flows as enforcement expands into crypto markets.