Israel Designates Iran’s Central Bank and Energy Firms as Terror Financiers

Israel’s Defense Minister Israel Katz announced today the designation of seven Iranian entities, including the Central Bank of Iran, as terrorist organizations, intensifying efforts to dismantle the financial networks supporting Iran’s regional proxies. The decree, authorized by Katz at the request of the Mossad and recommended by the National Bureau for Counter-Terror Financing (NBCTF), targets institutions and individuals funding groups like Hezbollah, the Houthis, Hamas, and Iraqi Shiite militias. This follows the 12-day “Am K’Lavie” war, which ended with a fragile ceasefire on June 24, after Israel and the U.S. devastated Iran’s nuclear and military infrastructure.

The designated entities include the Central Bank of Iran, Shahr Bank, Bank Mellat, and Sepehr Energy Jahan, alongside three senior officials: Majid Azami, Jamshid Ashhaji, and Elias Niroumand Tomaj. Intelligence reveals these entities serve as conduits for the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) and its Quds Force, facilitating illegal oil sales and sanctions evasion to bankroll terrorist activities across the Middle East. The designations aim to choke off financial lifelines to Iran’s proxies, which have been weakened by recent Israeli strikes, including the elimination of key IRGC leaders like Hossein Salami.

Katz declared, “Iran’s Central Bank is not a financial institution, it is a pipeline funneling billions into murderous terrorism. We will strike the regime of the Ayatollahs where it hurts most. Through the IRGC, they fund the terror activities of Hezbollah, the Houthis, Iraqi militias, and Hamas. No regime actor engaged in terrorism has immunity, the State of Israel will continue to use all its military, economic, and intelligence power to expose, strike, and dry up the Iranian axis of evil in every place where it operates.” The move aligns with Israel’s broader strategy to maintain pressure on Iran post-war, amid concerns over Tehran’s plans to rebuild its nuclear capabilities. By targeting financial networks, Israel seeks to curb Iran’s ability to destabilize the region, reinforcing its resolve to counter the “axis of evil” through sustained economic and military measures.