US sanctions three Turkey-based firms in Iran pressure campaign

The US Treasury Department has imposed Iran-related sanctions on three Turkey-based entities, according to an official announcement on Friday. The targeted firms are Golden Global Portfoy Yonetimi Anonim Sirketi, Golden Global Varlik Kiralama Anonim Sirketi, and Golden Global Yatirim Bankasi Anonim Sirketi.

The Treasury also issued a general license permitting a wind-down period for transactions involving these entities, allowing businesses to conclude existing dealings without penalty.

This action is the latest in a sustained US effort to economically isolate Tehran, now six months into a conflict that has driven global energy prices higher. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, who last month pledged an "economic onslaught" against Iran's financial networks, has stated the goal is to push Tehran back to negotiations.

Earlier this week, Washington moved to cut off Egyptian lender Banque Misr's UAE branches from dollar transactions over similar Iran-related concerns. In an interview on Sunday, Bessent indicated the Treasury would likely announce new secondary sanctions weekly, initially focusing on banks, as part of a broader strategy to intensify pressure on Iran.