Iran launches missiles at regional targets after US strike

The US Treasury Secretary recently announced additional sanctions on an Iranian bank, intensifying efforts to limit Tehran's financial dealings. In a statement to the Associated Press, Treasury Secretary Scott Besant revealed that the US would impose sanctions on another bank as part of broader efforts to tighten economic pressure on Iran and curb its financial transactions.

Besant emphasized that all options are on the table, as Washington urges countries, particularly in the oil sector, to cease commercial dealings with Iran. He also dismissed claims that the US is reluctant to sanction China, stating that the US is not avoiding action against Beijing regarding its transactions with Iran. Besant highlighted the importance of reopening the Strait of Hormuz and preventing Iran from obstructing shipping through this crucial waterway, as the US escalates both economic and military pressure on Tehran.

These actions follow recent US measures targeting branches of Banque Misr in the UAE, part of efforts to restrict financial networks linked to Iran. The Treasury Department explained that the new sanctions restrict the bank's access to dollar clearing services, while Egypt's central bank clarified that the measure only impacts Banque Misr's UAE branch's dollar correspondent transactions.