April 26, 2026
World
World
BEIJING, April 26 — China’s top diplomat Wang Yi said Beijing would “firmly support” Myanmar in safeguarding its sovereignty and security during talks with junta leader-turned-president Min Aung Hlaing.
WASHINGTON, April 25 — The United States has frozen US$344 million (RM1.36 billion) in cryptocurrency assets linked to Iran, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said, as Washington intensifies pressure on Tehran amid ongoing energy supply disruptions caused by conflict in the Middle East.
The US Department of the Treasury “will continue to systematically weaken Tehran’s ability to generate, move and repatriate funds,” Bessent said in a statement on X, adding that sanctions were imposed on multiple crypto wallets tied to Iran, leading to the asset freeze.
The move comes as US envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner are set to travel to Pakistan for another round of talks with Iran aimed at ending the conflict.
The war began following joint US-Israeli strikes on February 28 targeting Iran, which reportedly killed senior figures, including supreme leader Ali Khamenei.
A US official, speaking anonymously, said Washington is targeting both traditional sanctions evasion methods such as front companies, as well as newer channels like digital assets. The official added that the Treasury is actively engaging with financial institutions, including cryptocurrency exchanges. — AFP
