OFFICIALS from the US Treasury department will travel to Malaysia and Singapore as Washington cracks down on funding for Iran and its proxy groups as well as evasion of its sanctions on Russia, Reuters reports.

The news agency said sources had claimed that there has been a surge of money moving to Iran and its proxies, including Hamas, through the Malaysian financial system.

According to sources, US Treasury’s under-secretary for terrorism and financial intelligence, Brian Nelson, will discuss their concerns and the sanctions risk that such activity poses.

The discussions will also be held with US Treasury’s general counsel, Neil MacBride.

The visit to both countries is due to the US Treasury focus on terrorist financing through Southeast Asia.

This, the sources said, includes fundraising efforts and illicit Iranian oil sales.

In December, the department imposed sanctions on four Malaysia-based companies it accused of being fronts supporting Iran’s production of drones.

Washington has recently imposed further sanctions targeting Iran, including over Iranian drones used by Russia in the war in Ukraine, as the US has sought to ratchet up pressure on Tehran after its attack on Israel. – May 3, 2024.