Due to its ties with Iran: US imposed sanctions on Russian bank VTB

The Trump administration imposed unprecedented sanctions on Russian bank VTB, alleging it helped Iran evade sanctions and finance terrorism. The move is part of 'Operation Economic Outcast' to cut off Tehran from funding sources. The bank is now considered the most sanctioned financial institution in the world.

The Trump administration imposed new sanctions on Russian bank VTB, one of Russia's largest banks, alleging it supports Iran. The move is part of an ongoing US pressure campaign against Tehran aimed at cutting off the ayatollahs' regime from funding sources. The US Treasury Department stated that VTB helped Iran evade previous sanctions, opened offices in the country, established banking ties with sanctioned Iranian financial institutions, and facilitated the transfer of billions of dollars in Iranian assets. As a result, VTB is now considered one of the most sanctioned financial institutions in the world. The Russian bank had already faced sanctions before: in February 2022 in response to the Russian invasion of Ukraine, and again in January 2025 for attempts to evade Russian sanctions. As part of the current economic pressure campaign, dubbed 'Operation Economic Outcast', the Trump administration has threatened severe economic consequences for anyone supporting Iran, including disconnection from the US dollar system. The US Treasury Department announced it would meet this week with global financial institutions to equip them with information needed to disrupt revenue streams and procurement networks linked to the Iranian regime, the Revolutionary Guards, and their proxy terrorist organizations. In recent weeks, the US has taken extensive steps against Iran's aviation industry, imposed sanctions on a Turkish bank and the Dubai branch manager of Iran's largest bank, and offered to disconnect branches of Egypt's Misr Bank in the UAE from the US financial system. However, experts and diplomats express doubt about the overall impact of the new wave of sanctions on Tehran, which has faced decades of economic pressure.