Operation Economic Outcast Targets Iranian Regime’s Abuse of Religious Charity Networks

WASHINGTON—Today, as part of Operation Economic Outcast, the U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN) issued an Alert asking financial institutions to report potential Iranian regime abuse of religious charity networks, including diversion of religious tithes, or khums. “Under President Trump’s leadership, Treasury will not allow the Iranian regime to continue its long history of abusing religious institutions to line the pockets of its elites and fund terrorism,” said Secretary of the Treasury Scott Bessent. “By identifying and reporting this potential abuse, financial institutions can provide law enforcement with critical information to isolate the Iranian regime and its financial enablers.”The Iranian regime has been known to abuse ostensibly religious organizations in Iran and neighboring countries to enrich its elites, fund the repression of the Iranian people, and support terrorism abroad.