US Treasury Sanctions A7 Network for Iranian Sanctions Evasion
The US Treasury Department designated the Russian-tied A7 Network as a transnational criminal organization for facilitating illicit financial transactions for Iran and the IRGC.
The United States Department of the Treasury designated the A7 Network, a Russian-tied fintech and shadow banking system, as a significant transnational criminal organization. As part of Operation Economic Outcast, the Office of Foreign Assets Control sanctioned the network, while the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network proposed a rule to prohibit fund transmittals involving the network's sub-agents. Treasury investigations found that the network, led by convicted fraudster Ilan Mironovich Shor, processed over $17 billion globally between January 2025 and June 2026 to disguise illicit payments as commercial activity.
US officials allege the network facilitated transactions for the Central Bank of Iran, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, and North Korean cryptocurrency hackers. This action follows President Donald Trump's signing of the Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act, which enables tariffs of up to 100% on major buyers of Russian energy and sanctions facilitators. India and China have warned that this legislation could destabilize global energy markets.
A7 rejected the accusations, calling them a blatant lie and stating that the US measures do not affect its operations.
