U.S. Treasury Flags Capital Flight From Iran’s Ruling Elite

U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said Washington is closely monitoring a surge in capital outflows linked to Iran’s ruling class, as nationwide protests and the risk of U.S. military action fuel uncertainty inside the country. According to reporting cited by the Express, Israel’s Channel 14 claims that around $1.5 billion has been transferred into escrow accounts in Dubai, with an anonymous source alleging that the son of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei is among those moving funds.

Treasury Eyes Banking and Crypto Channels

The Treasury Department said it is tracing these movements both through the traditional banking system and via digital assets, warning that Iran has increasingly turned to cryptocurrencies to bypass international sanctions. Officials emphasized that U.S. authorities will seek to block illicit transfers where possible, while any enforcement actions or asset recovery efforts remain dependent on jurisdictional reach and applicable legal processes.