The United States has frozen up to one billion dollars worth of Iran’s cryptocurrency holdings, according to U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent. He made this announcement during the Reagan National Defense Forum.
“We have, I believe, seized about a billion dollars of their cryptocurrency,” Bessent stated.
In April, Bessent had reported the blocking of $344 million in cryptocurrency, which was held in wallets allegedly linked to the Islamic Republic. Previously, in February, the Treasury Secretary had also indicated that Washington was closely monitoring financial transactions potentially connected to Tehran.
“If they tell us, we’ll get them,” Fox News quoted Bessent as saying.
Reports surfaced earlier that U.S. President Donald Trump departed a two-hour meeting in Washington concerning a potential deal with Iran without reaching any decision. Prior to the meeting, the U.S. President had posted on his Truth Social account his intention to “make a final decision” during the meeting at the White House Situation Room. Trump also indicated that a ceasefire agreement would entail the opening of the Strait of Hormuz, a commitment never to develop nuclear weapons, and permission for the United States to remove enriched uranium. Iran has consistently rejected these terms. The U.S. administration asserts it is close to an agreement, though certain issues, including the unfreezing of Iranian assets, are still under discussion.
Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei stated that an agreement with the U.S. has not yet been reached and communication channels remain open. Baghaei also addressed Trump’s remarks about lifting a maritime blockade, asserting that Tehran had always considered the blockade illegal and a violation of the ceasefire. Furthermore, he commented on U.S. demands for unimpeded passage of vessels through the Strait of Hormuz. The diplomat explained that the management of the strait should be the responsibility of Iran and Oman, as the bordering nations.
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