The U.S. Treasury expanded sanctions against the Russia-linked payment network A7

The U.S. Treasury expanded sanctions against the A7 payment network, which Washington considers linked to Russian authorities. According to the agency, Iranian authorities used this network to bypass restrictions imposed on Iran. A7 was also designated a “significant transnational criminal organization”.

This status means a ban on transfers related to the operations of the network’s subagents. The ministry said that A7 was created specifically to evade sanctions. It claims that the network relies on a global system of subagents — companies specially created to disguise payments linked to sanctioned individuals as ordinary commercial activity.

U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent called the measures unprecedented. He said the Treasury is “destroying the financial infrastructure” that allows Iran and other U.S. adversaries to evade sanctions, launder illicit funds, and undermine the integrity of the global financial system.

According to the agency, the U.S. had previously already imposed sanctions on several A7 entities. The new measures are expected to affect the entire network.

Sources

• Radio Svoboda