US Punishes Iran With Sanctions And Targets Hamas’ $1 Billion Fund
By Worthy News’ George Whitten and Stefan J. Bos
WASHINGTON/TEHRAN (Worthy News) – The United States on Friday expanded its effort to cut off funding for Hamas by targeting Iran and others linked to the group after its terror attacks on October 7 killed more than 1,400 people in Israel.
The announcement by the U.S. Treasury Department’s Office of Foreign Assets Control came after America and some Middle Eastern countries targeted a “secret” Hamas investment portfolio worth up to $1 billion, Worthy News learned.
The U.S. Treasury Department said the global portfolio of investments includes companies operating “under the guise of legitimate businesses” in Sudan, Algeria, Turkey, the United Arab Emirates, and other nations.
Last week, the U.S. leveled sanctions on individuals that officials say are managing assets in the “secret” Hamas profitable investment portfolio likely valued at between $400 million and $1 billion.
To target the Hamas investment portfolio, the Treasury Department is reportedly working with members of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC): Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Kuwait, Oman, Bahrain, and the United Arab Emirates.
Following the Hamas terror attacks on Israel, American and Saudi officials reportedly convened an emergency meeting this week in Riyadh, Worthy News learned.
INCREASING PRESSURE
Those gathered included representatives of the Terrorist Financing Targeting Center, which consists of the United States and the GCC nations.
Soon after the meeting, Friday’s announced sanctions were aimed at further increasing the pressure on Iran and its proxies, including Hamas, U.S. officials suggested.
The U.S. Treasury Department made clear that the new sanctions “highlight Iran’s role in providing financial, logistical, and operational support to Hamas.”
They include a Hamas representative in Iran and members of Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard, according to officials familiar with the case.
“Today’s action underscores the United States’ commitment to dismantling Hamas’s funding networks by deploying our counterterrorism sanctions authorities. And [we are] working with our global partners to deny Hamas the ability to exploit the international financial system,” the department stressed.
Among those targeted are Khaled Qaddoumi, described as a liaison between Hamas and the Iranian government. Others include Ali Morshed Shirazi and Mostafa Mohammad Khani, officials in the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Qods Force who are accused of training and assisting Hamas fighters, officials said.
ORGANIZATIONS SANCTIONED
The U.S. also sanctioned several organizations, including the Iranian Bonyad Shahid, also known as the Martyrs Foundation.
U.S. officials say the group, which is affiliated with Palestinian Islamic Jihad, funnels millions of dollars through the Gaza-based Al-Ansar Charity Association for the families of militants.
The practice “ultimately serves as a recruiting tool for terrorist activities,” the U.S. added. The sanctions freeze any U.S.-based assets owned or controlled by the named individuals and organizations.
They also block financial transactions with those designated and prohibit the contribution of funds, goods, and services to them.
The sanctions were announced as Deputy Treasury Secretary Wally Adeyemo traveled to London to shore up support from Britain, one of America’s closest allies, for the drive to squeeze off funding for Hamas, which both countries consider a terrorist organization.
“Today’s action underscores the United States’ commitment to dismantling Hamas’s funding networks by deploying our counterterrorism sanctions authorities and working with our global partners to deny Hamas the ability to exploit the international financial system,” Adeyemo told media.
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