U.S. Seizes Nearly $1 Billion in Iranian Crypto Assets, Scott Bessent Says

Highlights:

The United States has seized roughly $1 billion in Iranian cryptocurrency assets as part of a wider financial pressure campaign against Tehran, U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent told Fox Business on Friday. Speaking on “Kudlow” at the Reagan National Economic Forum, Bessent said the U.S. directly took control of the crypto wallets linked to Iran. He said, “We have seized about a billion dollars of their crypto,” adding that authorities “outright grabbed the wallets.”

The seizure is part of Operation Economic Fury, a U.S. campaign aimed at cutting Iran off from major financial channels. According to Fox Business, the effort has focused on seizing Iranian assets, freezing bank accounts, and pushing foreign governments to reduce financial links with the country.

Bessent also said Iran’s economy is under heavy pressure. He claimed that many Iranian troops are not being paid, police are not reporting to stations, inflation is extremely high, and the country has started giving out food vouchers. Fox Business reported that Operation Economic Fury began in March last year. The campaign has targeted Iran’s money channels by blocking access to assets and working with foreign partners.

WTF 🇺🇸🇮🇷: The United States has seized close to $1 billion worth of crypto linked to Iran, according to Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent.

The figure marks a major increase from an earlier estimate shared just weeks ago, when officials reported nearly $500 million in seized… pic.twitter.com/mL8ACEwbGn

— Blockto (@CryptoBlockto) May 30, 2026

Operation Economic Fury Expands Pressure

Bessent said the U.S. is also working with allies in Europe to seize properties linked to Iranian funds. He mentioned villas, houses, and other assets. He said this money was “stolen from the Iranian people.” The Treasury secretary also claimed that Iran’s regime was taking $400 million to $500 million every month before U.S. officials stepped in. Bessent said the money was being divided among dozens of leaders.

The crypto seizure shows how digital assets are now part of major geopolitical enforcement actions. In the past, sanctions mostly focused on banks, oil exports, and physical assets. Now, crypto wallets have also become targets when governments believe they are connected to sanctioned activity.

Bessent Says Iran Faces Financial Strain

Bessent said Iran is nearing the “end of their tether” financially after weeks of military pressure and the economic campaign. He said the U.S. has “really cut them off” through Operation Economic Fury.

He also spoke about ongoing talks between the U.S. and Iran. According to Fox Business, President Donald Trump held a White House meeting on Friday and said he would make a “final determination” on Iran. 

Bessent said the situation is difficult because Iran has both clerical leadership and the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps involved in power decisions. He also said Iranian attacks in the Persian Gulf made it easier for the U.S. to push regional partners to share more information about Iranian oil links.

Separately, another major U.S. crypto seizure came during a global scam compound crackdown. According to the report, the FBI seized over 127,000 Bitcoin worth more than $8 billion, arrested nearly 300 suspects, and helped free almost 2,000 trafficked workers linked to online fraud networks.

FBI Seizes Over $8B in Crypto, Largest Forfeiture in U.S. History

According to Fox News, the FBI has seized more than $8 billion worth of cryptocurrency and arrested nearly 300 suspects as part of a global crackdown on scam compounds operating across Myanmar, Cambodia,… pic.twitter.com/y7kQTg1yOj

— Wu Blockchain (@WuBlockchain) May 30, 2026