Shibbir Ahmed, New York — Three years after the Hamas-led attacks on Israel on Oct. 7, 2023, United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres condemned the killings and hostage-taking while calling for an end to the continuing suffering of both Israelis and Palestinians.

In a message marking the anniversary, Guterres said more than 1,200 Israelis and foreign nationals were killed in the attacks, in which civilians were targeted in their homes, communities and at a music festival. Another 251 people were abducted and taken hostage in Gaza, according to the United Nations.

“Nothing can justify these atrocities,” Guterres said, recalling meetings with Israeli families whose lives were devastated by the attacks. He also cited reports of torture, sexual violence and other mistreatment of hostages, as well as deaths in captivity and during the subsequent fighting.

Guterres also highlighted the extensive Palestinian civilian toll from the war that followed. According to UN agencies, more than 70,000 Palestinians, including about 20,000 children, have been killed, while more than 100,000 have been wounded. Nearly all of Gaza’s estimated 2.1 million residents have been displaced, and large parts of the territory have been destroyed.

“Civilians continue to endure intolerable conditions,” Guterres said, adding that their suffering “demands an end – now.”

The secretary-general said the ceasefire reached in October 2025 had brought some relief but had not yet delivered lasting security, sufficient humanitarian assistance or a credible path toward recovery and peace.

He urged all parties to fulfill their commitments and proceed to the next phase of the ceasefire under UN Security Council Resolution 2803. He also called for humanitarian aid to enter Gaza on a large scale and for the ceasefire to become permanent.

The UN humanitarian office, OCHA, said Israeli authorities had suspended the entry of cargo into Gaza on Monday and announced another suspension for Wednesday, citing security concerns related to the anniversary.

Guterres said the anniversary should serve not only as a day of mourning but also as an opportunity to pursue a different future in which Israelis and Palestinians can live together with their rights, dignity and aspirations respected.

Shibbir Ahmed, New York — United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres on Tuesday called for an end to the ongoing conflict between the United States and Iran, urging all parties to step back from confrontation and return to diplomatic negotiations as the crisis continues to disrupt vital trade routes across the Middle East.

Speaking at a joint press appearance in Islamabad with Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Mohammad Ishaq Dar, Guterres issued a direct appeal to the parties involved in the conflict.

“End the conflict. Return to diplomacy,” Guterres said, calling at the same time for the full restoration of navigational rights and freedoms in accordance with international law.

His remarks came at the beginning of a two-day official visit to Pakistan, where the UN chief is expected to discuss regional security, diplomacy, humanitarian issues and climate change.

The current crisis began in late February following joint U.S. and Israeli strikes against Iran. Tehran responded with attacks against targets in Gulf countries and Jordan and moved to restrict transit through the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world’s most strategically important maritime passages.

The waterway is a major route for international shipments of crude oil, liquefied natural gas and other commodities. Disruptions in the strait have created significant uncertainty for global shipping and energy markets.

Guterres said hundreds of ships and their crews have been stuck at sea for months as a result of the continuing crisis. The disruption has raised concerns well beyond the region, with the security of international shipping and the uninterrupted movement of energy supplies becoming central issues in the conflict.

The conflict has also contributed to fighting along Yemen’s Red Sea coast. Iran-backed Houthi forces are engaged in fighting with Yemeni government troops supported by Saudi Arabia over control of the strategically important Bab al-Mandab Strait. The waterway is a critical maritime passage linking the Red Sea with the Gulf of Aden and the wider international shipping network. The developments have added another layer to an already complex regional crisis, with several strategic waterways now affected by military tensions.

Guterres used his visit to Pakistan to recognize Islamabad’s efforts to facilitate dialogue between Washington and Tehran. He praised Pakistan’s role in helping establish conditions for negotiations and pointed specifically to the June 17 Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding, the subsequent ceasefire and the framework created for further talks.

The UN secretary-general described Pakistan’s role as significant and said the country’s efforts demonstrated the importance of mediation and diplomacy at a time of increasing international division.

“Every Pakistani should be proud of that pivotal role,” Guterres said. He also praised Pakistan as a country that has continued to support multilateral diplomacy and international cooperation.

Guterres also addressed the broader Middle East crisis, saying lasting peace in the region cannot be achieved without addressing the political rights of the Palestinian people. He said the right of the Palestinian people to self-determination remains an important element of any long-term regional peace effort.

The UN chief expressed hope that the Middle East could move toward greater peace and prosperity through dialogue and cooperation. His comments come as the region continues to face overlapping conflicts and humanitarian challenges.

During his remarks, Guterres also highlighted Pakistan’s longstanding contribution to United Nations peacekeeping. He paid tribute to more than 180 Pakistani peacekeepers who have died while serving in UN missions around the world. Guterres also referred to a recent Security Council resolution led by Pakistan and Denmark that strengthens accountability for crimes against UN peacekeepers.

According to the secretary-general, the resolution received support from 153 countries, making it the most widely co-sponsored Security Council resolution in the organization’s history. He also acknowledged the heavy toll of terrorist attacks on Pakistan and expressed solidarity with those affected.

Pakistan’s role in hosting millions of Afghans displaced by conflict and instability was another issue raised during the visit. Guterres said the United Nations would continue working with Pakistan to ensure that the return of Afghan refugees is voluntary, safe and dignified.

The issue remains sensitive as Pakistan manages the long-term humanitarian and security consequences of decades of conflict in neighboring Afghanistan.

Guterres also used his visit to highlight Pakistan’s vulnerability to climate change. Recalling his previous visit to the country during the devastating 2022 floods, he said Pakistan remains on the front lines of climate-related disasters despite contributing only a small share of global greenhouse-gas emissions.

He praised Pakistan’s involvement in establishing the Loss and Damage Fund and highlighted the country’s efforts to expand clean energy. The UN chief again urged developed countries to take the lead in significantly reducing global emissions during the current decade.

Guterres’ appeal comes as the United States-Iran conflict continues to create security and economic risks across the Middle East. The disruption of major maritime routes, the expansion of fighting into neighboring areas and the potential impact on global energy and trade have increased pressure for a diplomatic solution. From Islamabad, the UN secretary-general made clear that his preferred path forward is negotiation rather than further escalation.

“End the conflict. Return to diplomacy,” he said.

For Pakistan, meanwhile, the visit provides an opportunity to reinforce its role as a diplomatic channel between major powers while emphasizing its broader concerns over regional stability, humanitarian protection and climate security.

Riyadh, Saudi Arabia – Saudi Arabia, Pakistan and Türkiye have agreed to immediately implement their collective-defense commitments under the Mecca Defense Alliance, marking a significant escalation in regional security cooperation. The decision was reached during an emergency meeting of the alliance’s Strategic Political and Defense Committee in Riyadh on October 5.

The three countries said they would take the necessary measures to provide agreed military forces and capabilities and ensure their rapid deployment in Saudi Arabia. The deployment will be carried out according to previously approved arrangements and the national legislation of the member states.

The emergency meeting comes amid a sharp increase in Houthi attacks targeting Saudi Arabia. The alliance condemned attacks and threats against Saudi cities, civilian and economic facilities, as well as the reported attempt to target the holy cities of Mecca and Medina.

The three countries have emphasized that the security of one member is connected to the collective security of all three. The Mecca Joint Defense Agreement, signed on August 7, 2026, provides a framework in which an armed attack against one member is treated as an attack against all three.

The latest agreement calls for rapid deployment of military forces and capabilities to Saudi Arabia. However, the exact size, composition and timing of the deployments remain subject to the respective countries’ legal and institutional procedures.

The alliance also appointed retired Pakistani Lieutenant General Noman Mahmood as its first secretary-general for a three-year term, according to the joint statement.

The activation of the pact represents a major development in the security relationship between Saudi Arabia, Pakistan and Türkiye. It gives the three countries a formal framework for coordinated defense at a time when the Yemen conflict and Houthi attacks are creating wider regional security concerns.

For Saudi Arabia, the immediate priority is strengthening its defenses against missile and drone threats. For Pakistan and Türkiye, the agreement creates a mechanism for providing military capabilities and support to a key regional partner.

Saudi Arabia: Saudi Arabia has reported a fresh wave of attacks by Yemen’s Houthi movement as fighting between the Houthis and Saudi-backed Yemeni forces intensifies. Saudi authorities said two airports in the southern part of the Kingdom, Jazan and Najran, were targeted, with three people suffering light injuries.

The attacks come amid a major escalation in Yemen. Saudi-backed Yemeni government forces have launched an offensive against Houthi positions around the strategically important Bab el-Mandeb Strait, while Saudi air power is supporting the ground campaign.

The Houthis have claimed missile and drone operations against several locations in Saudi Arabia, including airports, military installations and energy infrastructure. Reuters reported that the group claimed attacks involving King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh, an Aramco facility in Rabigh, Abha airport and military sites. Those claims had not been independently verified at the time of reporting.

Saudi authorities have separately reported successful interceptions of Houthi missiles and drones during the recent escalation. On September 24, Saudi Arabia said six ballistic missiles launched by the Houthis had been intercepted.

The latest attacks are linked to a broader military escalation in Yemen. Saudi-backed forces are attempting to push the Houthis away from strategic territory around the Red Sea and Bab el-Mandeb, an important international shipping route.

The conflict also has implications for regional energy security. Saudi Arabia’s East-West oil pipeline has become particularly important as disruptions to Gulf shipping routes increase. Reuters reported on October 6 that Saudi oil continued flowing through the pipeline, with the kingdom using it to redirect significant volumes toward the Red Sea.

The immediate concern is whether the Houthi attacks on Saudi territory will continue or expand as Saudi-backed Yemeni forces advance. Saudi Arabia and its partners are likely to maintain pressure on Houthi positions, while the Houthis have demonstrated their ability and willingness to respond with missiles and drones.

Important: Reports about individual Houthi strikes should be distinguished from confirmed Saudi government statements. Several claims involving Riyadh and Aramco have not been independently verified.

TEHRAN – Iran’s top diplomat insisted on Sunday that there would be no military solution to the United States’ war against the Islamic republic, with talks on ending the conflict apparently at an impasse. A campaign of heavy bombardment failed to bring a decisive close to the war launched by the US and Israel in late February, and Washington in recent weeks has dialled back military operations in favour of economic pressure.

The main point of contention remains Iran’s attempt to blockade the Strait of Hormuz, a vital conduit for Gulf oil and gas where a UK maritime agency reported on Sunday another tanker struck by an unknown projectile. “If our enemies again choose the path of military confrontation, our response will be stronger than before, and we will defend ourselves with even more force,” Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said at a gathering of foreign ambassadors.

“There is no military solution, nor any solution based on new sanctions,” he continued, adding “only negotiations based on justice and fairness” could end the conflict. The two sides agreed a memorandum of understanding in June that spelled out a framework for a permanent resolution, but Iranian attacks on vessels in the Hormuz prompted a return to US military operations.

Iran has sought to impose its control over the vital shipping lane since the start of the war, striking vessels that attempt to transit without its authorisation. The US has imposed its own counterblockade of Iranian ports, and has also struck vessels it accuses of violating it.

On Sunday, the British maritime security agency UKMTO said a tanker in the Hormuz “reported being struck by an unknown projectile, causing damage to the engine room”, though the crew were reported safe and no environmental impact was recorded. The agency did not specify the date of the incident, the vessel’s origin or destination, or whether it was an oil tanker or LNG carrier.

Iranian and US officials last week held indirect talks on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly, with Tehran saying it presented seven conditions for reopening the strait. Iran has demanded, among other things, a ceasefire across the Middle East, the unfreezing of its assets abroad, the lifting of sanctions on its oil sector and an end to the US naval blockade.

Trump, however, rejected the proposal, while leaving the door open both to further talks or renewed military operations. Iranian foreign ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baqaei on Sunday characterised the latest US counterproposal as being “in line with their previous proposals concerning nuclear issues”.

“We have clearly indicated that we are focusing on the issue of the Strait of Hormuz,” he said, adding that reopening the waterway required “an end to the disruptions to Iranian commercial maritime traffic and the lifting of sanctions”.

The United States and Israel have characterised the war as being necessary to prevent Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons — a goal it has long denied pursuing — though the focus soon shifted to reopening the Hormuz after its closure sent shockwaves through world energy markets. The United States has not struck Iran since September 1, but it has recently pursued a fresh military buildup in the region.

US media outlet Axios reported that Washington has deployed additional Patriot missile batteries to Saudi Arabia and Qatar to help protect key energy facilities from possible Iranian retaliation. It also reported that the USS Theodore Roosevelt aircraft carrier and its strike group were heading to the Middle East, where they could join two other US carrier strike groups already in the region.

Axios reported that top Trump cabinet members met Friday to discuss the war in Iran, as well as the conflict in Yemen, where the Tehran-backed Houthis have been fighting government forces and attacking Saudi Arabia.

Shibbir Ahmed, New York — The United Nations is warning of serious humanitarian and health risks in Gaza as winter approaches, with millions of Palestinians facing inadequate shelter, shortages of essential medical supplies and the growing threat of flooding. The UN World Health Organization (WHO) said on October 2 that repeated delays in bringing lifesaving medicines, prosthetics and other medical supplies into Gaza are putting people in urgent need of care at risk. WHO said almost 2 million people need shelter to protect them from cold weather and flooding, while humanitarian organizations continue to face difficulties bringing winterization and shelter supplies into the territory.

According to the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), funding shortages and restrictions are severely limiting preparations for the rainy season. A recent OCHA assessment identified 451 displacement sites at high risk of flooding, hosting an estimated 464,402 people. WHO’s representative for the Occupied Palestinian Territory said that, as of October 2, no hospital in Gaza was fully functional, citing chronic shortages of medicines and medical supplies. WHO said large quantities of medical supplies have been waiting for clearance for a median of 74 days, creating significant delays in delivering healthcare assistance.

The UN has called for the unimpeded and predictable entry of humanitarian and health supplies at scale, as well as a system allowing aid to enter through multiple crossings. WHO officials also called for clearer procedures for the approval of humanitarian shipments to reduce delays and rejected consignments. The winter preparations come as Gaza continues to face severe infrastructure and humanitarian challenges. An OCHA report published in September said shortages of cancer medicines, chemotherapy and radiotherapy supplies, dialysis materials, insulin and other essential items were disrupting lifesaving health services.

The UN has also warned that damaged infrastructure and overcrowded displacement sites are increasing the risks associated with heavy rain and flooding. Earlier OCHA reporting said humanitarian efforts to prepare for winter were being constrained by funding shortages, restrictions on supplies entering Gaza and shortages of fuel, engine oil, spare parts and heavy machinery.

A UN report issued in September similarly called for urgent action to restore essential services in Gaza, including electricity, water, sanitation, waste management and healthcare. It described winterization as an urgent priority because shelter needs remain extensive while essential supplies and services remain severely constrained.

The UN’s latest warnings underscore the scale of the challenge facing humanitarian agencies as winter approaches, particularly for displaced families living in damaged buildings, tents and other inadequate shelters.

Shibbir Ahmed, Washington DC — The United States on Friday imposed sanctions on a Hamas military operative in Gaza and a France-based fundraising network that U.S. authorities said used sham charities and cryptocurrency to raise nearly $2 million for the Palestinian militant group. The action, announced by the U.S. Department of the Treasury on October 2, targets what Washington described as part of Hamas’s international financial support network. The U.S. Department of State said the measures were aimed at disrupting efforts to raise and transfer funds to Hamas through charitable and humanitarian structures.

According to the State Department, the France-based network used purported charitable organizations and cryptocurrency to collect nearly $2 million for Hamas in recent years. The action was coordinated among the State Department, Treasury Department and Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI).

The State Department said the measures demonstrate the U.S. commitment to dismantling Hamas’s international financing networks and restricting the group’s access to resources that Washington says can support terrorist activities. The department said the United States would continue working with partner governments, including France, to identify individuals and organizations involved in raising or transferring funds to Hamas.

The measures also seek to protect legitimate humanitarian assistance to civilians in Gaza, according to the State Department, which said humanitarian aid should be delivered through organizations that can ensure the assistance reaches its intended recipients. The sanctions were issued under Executive Order 13224, as amended by Executive Order 13886, the primary U.S. counterterrorism sanctions authority. Under the action, property and interests in property belonging to designated persons that are in the United States or under the control of U.S. persons are subject to blocking restrictions.

The U.S. State Department designated Hamas under Executive Order 13224 on October 31, 2001. Hamas is also designated by the United States as a Foreign Terrorist Organization under Section 219 of the Immigration and Nationality Act. The Treasury Department’s action comes alongside a Justice Department investigation into a broader Hamas financing network. U.S. authorities announced charges and arrests involving individuals accused of raising and transferring funds to Hamas, including activity involving the United States and France.

The U.S. government said disrupting Hamas’s international financing channels remains part of its broader effort to restrict the group’s ability to obtain funds and maintain its operations. The action also highlights increased cooperation between U.S. agencies and foreign partners in tracing financial flows involving Hamas and identifying organizations that authorities allege have been used to conceal terrorist financing as charitable activity. U.S. officials said they would continue working with international partners to target financial networks supporting Hamas while seeking to preserve legitimate humanitarian assistance for Palestinian civilians.

Shibbir Ahmed, Washington DC  — The United States and dozens of partner countries have reaffirmed their commitment to implementing United Nations restrictions on Iran, one year after a series of UN Security Council resolutions were restored through the so-called “snapback” mechanism. In a joint statement issued October 2, the countries participating in the Proliferation Security Initiative (PSI) said they would continue implementing the obligations contained in six UN Security Council resolutions that returned into force on September 27, 2025.

The resolutions are UNSCR 1696 (2006), 1737 (2006), 1747 (2007), 1803 (2008), 1835 (2008) and 1929 (2010). According to the statement, France, Germany and the United Kingdom initiated the snapback process in response to what they described as Iran’s “persistent and significant non-performance” of its nuclear commitments under the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA).

The United States and its PSI partners said they remain committed to preventing the supply, sale or transfer to Iran of materials, equipment, goods and technology that could contribute to proliferation-sensitive nuclear activities or the development of nuclear-weapons delivery systems. They also reaffirmed restrictions on the supply, sale or transfer of arms and related materiel to or from Iran.

The participating countries said they would strengthen their domestic legal authorities and capabilities to address proliferation-sensitive activities involving Iran. Their commitments include preventing direct or indirect transfers of items that could contribute to weapons of mass destruction and their means of delivery, including unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), as well as materials covered by the reinstated UN arms restrictions.

The countries also pledged to improve information-sharing among PSI partners concerning Iran’s proliferation activities and to review national legal authorities where necessary to ensure that enforcement measures remain effective. They further committed to taking appropriate actions in support of interdiction efforts involving Iran’s proliferation-related activities. The joint statement welcomed national-level efforts to implement the reinstated UN obligations and cited activities linked to Operation Economic Outcast as supporting the broader objective of preventing Iran from acquiring a nuclear weapon.

The participating states called on all UN member countries to implement the reinstated resolutions and said they would continue coordinating counterproliferation efforts to prevent Iran from undertaking activities prohibited under the resolutions, including efforts related to its nuclear and ballistic missile programs. They also urged Tehran to return to compliance with its nonproliferation obligations, cooperate fully with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), and address what the signatories described as international concerns over Iran’s nuclear activities.

The snapback process began in August 2025, when France, Germany and the United Kingdom notified the UN Security Council that they considered Iran to be in significant non-performance of its JCPOA commitments. The process culminated on September 27, 2025, when the six earlier Security Council resolutions returned into force.

The status and legality of the snapback have been disputed by Iran, which has argued that the mechanism was invalid and that the states invoking it lacked the authority to restore the earlier resolutions. The dispute has remained part of the broader international debate over the future of the JCPOA and Iran’s nuclear program. The October 2 statement was signed by a broad group of PSI-endorsing countries, including the United States, Canada, France, Germany, the United Kingdom, Japan, Australia, Israel, South Korea and numerous European and other partner states.

Shibbir Ahmed, New York — U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio ordered Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi and his delegation to leave New York earlier than scheduled, according to two U.S. officials familiar with the matter, adding a new dimension to ongoing diplomatic tensions between Washington and Tehran. Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian left New York last week after delivering his address to the United Nations General Assembly. Araghchi, however, remained in the city as efforts continued toward indirect discussions with the United States on reopening the Strait of Hormuz, ending the ongoing conflict and restarting negotiations over Iran’s nuclear program.

According to U.S. officials, weekend meetings involving Iranian and Qatari mediators produced little progress. Rubio subsequently instructed the Iranian delegation on Monday to leave New York immediately. One U.S. official said the delegation had remained in the country after the high-level UN meetings had ended and was no longer expected to stay. Araghchi and members of his delegation left New York early Tuesday and were expected to travel back to Iran via Doha, Qatar.

Iran, however, rejected the U.S. account. Iran’s permanent mission to the United Nations said the delegation had not been ordered to leave or expelled from the United States. The mission said its departure schedule had been arranged in advance and had been communicated to the U.S. State Department on September 17.

The Iranian mission also accused Washington of spreading what it described as “baseless” reports following the lack of progress in the negotiations. The conflicting accounts have highlighted the differences between Washington and Tehran over the circumstances surrounding the delegation’s departure.

Indirect discussions between the United States and Iran have continued with Qatar playing a mediating role. Key issues remain unresolved, including the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz, sanctions, frozen Iranian assets, the ongoing conflict and Iran’s nuclear program.

The departure of the Iranian delegation comes as diplomatic contacts between Washington and Tehran continue, but the two sides have yet to reach an agreement aimed at resolving the broader conflict and their longstanding disputes.

Shibbir Ahmed, Washington DC —  The U.S. Department of the Treasury announced a broad set of actions Thursday targeting the A7 Network, a shadow banking network that Treasury says has ties to Russia and has been used by Iran and other illicit actors to evade sanctions and move funds through the international financial system. The measures were announced as part of Operation Economic Outcast and involve both the Treasury Department’s Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN) and the Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC).

FinCEN issued a notice of proposed rulemaking that would prohibit certain financial transactions involving the A7 Network’s Sub-Agents. The agency also released an alert outlining indicators that financial institutions can use to identify and report potentially suspicious activity associated with the network. Separately, OFAC designated the A7 Network as a significant transnational criminal organization.

Treasury Targets A7 Network’s Financial Structure

According to Treasury, the A7 Network was created and backed by individuals already subject to U.S. sanctions. The department said the network established a global network of companies, referred to as Sub-Agents, to disguise payments connected to sanctioned sectors and individuals as routine commercial transactions. Treasury said the network has been used by Iran, including the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), as well as other illicit financial actors.

The latest measures build on Treasury’s August 14, 2025, designation of several A7-related entities, including A7 LLC and Old Vector LLC. Treasury officials said the broader action is intended to disrupt the network’s ability to provide financial services that facilitate sanctions evasion.

Billions in Transactions Identified

FinCEN said its investigation found that A7 Network Sub-Agents processed more than $17 billion between January 2025 and June 2026. Treasury said the network allegedly used third-country companies, falsified trade documentation, manipulated import-export records and misleading descriptions of goods to make sanctioned or illicit payments appear to be legitimate commercial transactions.

According to Treasury, the A7 Network claimed that by January 2026 it was processing more than 2,000 transactions a day, with total transaction volume exceeding 7.5 trillion Russian rubles. Treasury estimated the value at approximately $91.5 billion, equivalent to about 13% of Russia’s 2025 foreign trade transactions.

Alleged Links to Iranian Oil and Weapons Procurement

Treasury also said A7 Network Sub-Agents were used in transactions connected to Iranian oil sales and weapons procurement. One Sub-Agent, according to the department, transacted directly with entities associated with Iran’s so-called shadow fleet—a network of tankers, shipping companies and front companies used to transport and sell Iranian oil in violation of sanctions.

Treasury said the Sub-Agent and a related company received nearly $140 million from entities involved in Iranian sanctions-evasion activity. In a separate case cited by Treasury, another A7 Sub-Agent transferred approximately $1.6 million to a company linked to Iranian sanctions evasion and weapons procurement.

FinCEN Issues Alert to Financial Institutions

FinCEN’s new alert provides financial institutions with indicators designed to help identify potentially suspicious transactions associated with the A7 Network. The agency said the network uses foreign companies to gain access to international payment systems and facilitate the movement of funds. The proposed FinCEN rule was issued under Section 9714(a) of the Combating Russian Money Laundering Act. The public will have 30 days to submit comments after the notice is published in the Federal Register.

OFAC Designates A7 as Significant Transnational Criminal Organization

OFAC’s designation places the A7 Network under U.S. sanctions as a significant transnational criminal organization. Treasury identified Ilan Mironovich Shor, whom it described as a sanctioned and convicted fraudster, as the leader of the network. The department said the network operates through a group of Sub-Agent companies that allegedly disguise illicit transactions as legitimate trade.

Treasury also alleged that the network has provided financial support to Iran’s IRGC and Iranian proxy groups, including Hamas. The department said the A7 Network has also been linked to Nobitex, an Iranian digital-asset exchange designated by OFAC in June 2026, and has facilitated transactions associated with North Korean cryptocurrency exchange hacks and other illicit activities.

A7A5 Token Included in Sanctions Action

Treasury said the A7A5 token, a ruble-backed digital token issued by Old Vector LLC, is part of the A7 Network and is subject to U.S. blocking sanctions. According to OFAC, the token was created to facilitate international transactions while helping network participants evade sanctions and generate revenue for sanctioned infrastructure providers.

Potential Consequences for U.S. and Foreign Persons

Following OFAC’s action, property and interests in property belonging to the A7 Network that are located in the United States or controlled by U.S. persons are blocked and must be reported to OFAC. U.S. persons are generally prohibited from conducting transactions involving blocked property unless specifically authorized by OFAC or otherwise exempt.

Treasury warned that violations of U.S. sanctions can result in civil or criminal penalties. OFAC can also impose civil penalties on a strict-liability basis. The department further warned that non-U.S. persons may face sanctions exposure if they cause U.S. persons to violate sanctions or engage in activities designed to evade U.S. sanctions. The latest measures represent an expanded U.S. effort to disrupt financial networks that authorities say facilitate sanctions evasion and illicit finance involving Iran, Russia and other actors.