The United States Treasury has reported that Iran’s top leaders are moving enormous amounts of money out of the country. Officials described the activity as a major surge in capital flight, with billions being sent abroad amid growing protests and fears of instability.
The Treasury said that millions and tens of millions of dollars are being wired out of Iran and sent to banks and financial institutions around the world. Officials said that these moves show that some of Iran’s elite are abandoning their positions as unrest spreads across the nation.
Iran has faced widespread protests since late December 2025, initially triggered by economic problems. These demonstrations have quickly grown into calls for a complete change in leadership. Protesters are demanding the end of the current government, and the unrest has spread across major cities.
Security forces have responded with deadly force, and reports indicate that thousands of people have been killed. Some estimates put the number of deaths at 12,000. The situation has created serious concern among global observers, especially given threats of potential military action.
The Treasury emphasized its role in tracking these financial movements. Officials stated that they are closely monitoring all transfers, whether they happen through traditional banking systems or digital assets such as cryptocurrencies.
Cryptocurrency and Dubai Transfers Highlighted
Recent reports indicate that large sums are being moved not only through banks but also through cryptocurrency transactions, making it harder to trace. Media reports suggest that around $1.5 billion has been transferred out of Iran over just a couple of days. The funds are reportedly heading to escrow accounts in Dubai.
Officials noted that these transfers were not random. They were carefully planned using alternative financial networks and digital assets, which are increasingly being used to bypass sanctions and banking restrictions.
This trend shows a growing reliance on cryptocurrency for moving large amounts of money internationally. It also highlights how traditional sanctions and banking restrictions are being circumvented. The Treasury has said it will continue tracing these assets, aiming to prevent them from being used without oversight.
The use of cryptocurrency and other indirect methods reflects a long-standing strategy by some in Iran’s elite to protect wealth amid sanctions and economic instability. Observers say these actions indicate a high level of concern among the leadership about the future of their positions and assets.
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US Treasury Vows to Track and Monitor Funds
The Treasury has made clear that it will follow the money wherever it goes. Whether the funds are moved through banks, digital assets, or other channels, officials say they will trace these transactions.
The US Treasury stressed that it has the ability to monitor both traditional banking transfers and cryptocurrency movements. Officials have described these financial operations as evidence of leaders preparing for potential instability.
According to media reports, key individuals in Iran’s leadership have been linked to these transfers, including sending hundreds of millions of dollars to accounts in Dubai over recent days. The activity is part of a broader pattern of moving money out of the country under the radar, often through unconventional channels.
The Treasury’s statement comes amid continued nationwide protests, with demonstrators calling for major political change. As the protests have intensified, reports of capital flight have raised concerns about the stability of the country’s leadership.
Experts say that the scale of these transfers is significant. Millions of dollars leaving the country in such a short period demonstrates both the severity of the unrest and the desperation of some leaders to secure assets abroad.