Report: US sanctions official to visit Malaysia over funds flowing to Iran, Hamas

 

There has been an increase in funds flowing to Iran and its proxies, including Hamas, through the Malaysian financial system, according to a report.

Quoting a source, who spoke on condition of anonymity, Reuters said a top sanctions official from the US Treasury Department will come to Malaysia.

“Treasury's under-secretary for terrorism and financial intelligence, Brian Nelson, is expected to discuss US’ concerns and the sanctions risk such activity poses, the source said. Treasury's general counsel, Neil MacBride, will also be on the trip.

“The visit comes as the Treasury has increased its focus on terrorist financing through Southeast Asia, including through fundraising efforts and illicit Iranian oil sales, the source said,” read the report.

In December, Reuters said the Treasury Department had imposed sanctions on four Malaysian-based companies, which were accused of being fronts for supporting Iran’s drone production.

Meanwhile, Nelson is also scheduled to visit Singapore to “discuss the enforcement of a G7-led price cap on Russian oil as well as cutting off the transhipment of critical dual-use goods, those which have both civilian and military purposes”.

Fresh sanctions

Previously, Reuters had reported that the US issued fresh sanctions on “10 entities and four individuals based in Iran, Malaysia, Hong Kong and Indonesia that it accuses of supporting the production of Iranian drones”.

The Treasury claimed that the network facilitated the procurement of components for the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Aerospace Force Self Sufficiency Jihad Organization and its drone programme.

In April, Malaysia supported Iran’s drone attack on Israel in response to the attack on the Islamic republic’s embassy in Damascus.

Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, who has been a vocal critic of Israel’s offensive in Gaza and a supporter of Hamas, called it a “legitimate act” to Tel Aviv’s “barbarous” attack. - Mkini