Fresh Iran sanctions target 16 individuals, 10 entities

The Trump administration has imposed new sanctions on Iran, targeting 16 individuals and 10 entities, according to a notice published on the US Treasury Department's website on Thursday, as reported by Reuters. The Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN), a division of Treasury, has also issued an alert as part of its "Operation Economic Outcast".

This alert urges financial institutions to report any potential misuse of religious charity networks by Iran, including the diversion of khums, the religious tithe paid by Shia Muslims. According to Washington, Iran has a history of exploiting ostensibly religious organizations, both within Iran and in neighboring countries, for the benefit of its elites, to fund domestic repression, and to support terrorism abroad.

The Treasury further asserts that Iran's government co-opts khums payments from the global Shia community to further its "destabilizing activities".