Iran-backed militias funnel money to IRGC amid economic crisis, CENTCOM commander Cooper says
Cooper said the financial pressure had become severe enough that Iran-aligned militias were reportedly withholding payments from their own fighters to funnel money back to the IRGC.
Iran-backed militias, including Hezbollah, Hamas and Iraq's militias, are funneling money to Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) as Tehran grapples with an economic crisis following nine months of war, according to US Central Command (CENTCOM) chief Adm. Brad Cooper. The US naval blockade has led to a loss of $25 billion in oil revenue, while the US Treasury Department has frozen $350 million in Iranian cryptocurrency assets, according to CENTCOM and the Treasury.
Cooper stated that Iran-backed militias were withholding payments from their own troops to funnel money back to the IRGC, which is also struggling to pay its soldiers. The financial strain on Iran's military has become so severe that there are reports of militia groups withholding payments across the region. CENTCOM has paused strikes on Iranian military positions threatening the Strait of Hormuz due to increased Iranian attacks on shipping in the waterway, which has resulted in a drop in oil prices.
The US administration has been attempting to place economic pressure on Iran to reach an agreement, with the White House and Qatari mediators awaiting Iran's response to a US counterproposal. A US official cited by Axios stated that the White House ordered the pause to avoid escalating the war before the US midterm elections, as Trump's approval rating has dipped to 38% according to NBC News polling.
Iranian attacks on ships in the Hormuz Strait are believed to be increasing in order to raise oil prices and put pressure on the Trump administration ahead of the midterm elections.
Written by urgent.news from Jerusalem Post's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
