Archive · 15 Sep 2026
US Imposes Fresh Iran-Related Sanctions on Russia’s VTB Bank
The United States has added new sanctions against Russia’s VTB Bank.
Sanctions are penalties that make it harder for a bank to use the US financial system.
American officials say VTB helped Iran get around US sanctions.
They say the bank opened offices in Iran and worked with Iranian banks that were already sanctioned.
The United States also says VTB helped move billions of dollars belonging to Iran.
Foreign banks were warned not to work with VTB.
VTB was already heavily sanctioned in 2022 because of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
The new action is part of a wider US effort to increase economic pressure on Iran.
The United States imposed new sanctions on Russia’s VTB Bank over alleged assistance to Iran.
US officials accused VTB of working with sanctioned Iranian banks and moving billions of dollars in Iranian assets.
The measures target VTB’s Iran-related activities, including correspondent banking relationships.
Washington warned foreign financial institutions to avoid dealing with VTB or face possible US restrictions.
VTB had already been placed under full blocking sanctions in 2022 after Russia invaded Ukraine.
- Who
- The United States and its Treasury and State departments imposed measures on Russia’s VTB Bank, which was accused of assisting Iran.
- What
- The United States imposed fresh Iran-related sanctions on VTB and warned foreign financial institutions against dealing with it.
- When
- September 15, 2026.
- Where
- The sanctions were announced by the United States and concern VTB’s banking activities in Iran and its international financial relationships.
- Why
- US officials said VTB helped Iran evade sanctions, establish relationships with sanctioned Iranian banks, and move billions of dollars in Iranian assets.
- Target
- VTB Bank, one of Russia’s largest financial institutions
- New measures
- Iran-related sanctions imposed by the United States
- US allegations
- VTB opened offices in Iran, developed ties with sanctioned Iranian banks, and helped move billions of dollars in Iranian assets
- Earlier sanctions
- VTB was placed under full blocking sanctions by the United States in 2022 over Russia’s invasion of Ukraine
- Warning
- Foreign financial institutions were urged to cut ties with VTB
- Possible consequences
- Institutions helping Iran evade sanctions could face US financial restrictions
- Related action
- The wider campaign also targeted Turkey’s Golden Global bank