The Iranian government sanctioned Kharon on May 2 for its work uncovering terrorism financing networks linked to Hamas. In a statement released by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Iran announced its sanctions against several U.S. firms including Lockheed Martin, General Dynamics, Skydio, and Chevron, citing their support for Israel.
Iran said it took action against Kharon because of “its endeavor to cut off Hamas and Islamic Jihad’s access to the network for transfer of cryptocurrency under pretext of money laundering.”
In response to the sanctions, Kharon stated: “Global financial institutions, virtual asset service providers (VASPs), and other cryptocurrency service providers rely on Kharon to provide the information required to comply with counter-terrorist financing and anti-money laundering regulations. The insights and analytic tools provided by Kharon underpin critical components of an effective risk management framework, while at the same time helping regulators and enforcement officials carry out their responsibilities.”
This is the second time Iran has targeted Kharon with sanctions. In 2022, the Iranian government sanctioned several members of Kharon’s leadership team, along with hundreds of U.S. officials accusing them of engaging in “terrorism” and human rights violations against its people.
In December 2023, Kharon was also sanctioned by China for its research work related to forced labor and human rights issues in Xinjiang.
Iran’s latest sanctions against Kharon come as tension mounts between Washington and Tehran over several issues, including Iran’s financial and military support of Hamas in the ongoing conflict in Gaza.
Since the October 7 attack on Israel, the U.S. and other governments have imposed several rounds of sanctions on Hamas officials as well as individuals tied to Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), which finances the terrorist group.
Kharon has also separately uncovered a number of terrorism financing networks tied to Hamas, including fundraising campaigns and global enterprises based in Türkiye, Sudan, and elsewhere.
Iran said it took action against Kharon because of “its endeavor to cut off Hamas and Islamic Jihad’s access to the network for transfer of cryptocurrency under pretext of money laundering.”
In response to the sanctions, Kharon stated: “Global financial institutions, virtual asset service providers (VASPs), and other cryptocurrency service providers rely on Kharon to provide the information required to comply with counter-terrorist financing and anti-money laundering regulations. The insights and analytic tools provided by Kharon underpin critical components of an effective risk management framework, while at the same time helping regulators and enforcement officials carry out their responsibilities.”
This is the second time Iran has targeted Kharon with sanctions. In 2022, the Iranian government sanctioned several members of Kharon’s leadership team, along with hundreds of U.S. officials accusing them of engaging in “terrorism” and human rights violations against its people.
In December 2023, Kharon was also sanctioned by China for its research work related to forced labor and human rights issues in Xinjiang.
Iran’s latest sanctions against Kharon come as tension mounts between Washington and Tehran over several issues, including Iran’s financial and military support of Hamas in the ongoing conflict in Gaza.
Since the October 7 attack on Israel, the U.S. and other governments have imposed several rounds of sanctions on Hamas officials as well as individuals tied to Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), which finances the terrorist group.
Kharon has also separately uncovered a number of terrorism financing networks tied to Hamas, including fundraising campaigns and global enterprises based in Türkiye, Sudan, and elsewhere.
