Fresh Iran sanctions target 16 individuals, 10 entities

The Trump administration has issued fresh Iran-related sanctions targeting 16 individuals and 10 entities, according to a notice posted on the US Treasury Department’s website on Thursday, Reuters reported. Treasury also announced that its Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN) had issued an alert, as part of what it calls “Operation Economic Outcast”. The alert asks financial institutions to report potential Iranian abuse of religious charity networks, including the diversion of khums, the religious tithe paid by Shia Muslims. Washington alleges the Iranian government has a long record of "exploiting ostensibly religious organisations, in Iran and neighbouring countries, to enrich its elites, fund repression at home and support terrorism abroad". Treasury also claims the government co-opts khums payments from the global Shia community to further its “destabilising activities”.