Israel's defense minister has officially designated Iran's state-owned Bank Melli as a terrorist organization, accusing it of being a major financial conduit for the Islamic Republic's network of militant groups. The decision follows recommendations from Israel's security agencies and aims to disrupt what officials describe as a primary channel for funding Iran-backed groups across the Middle East. The statement alleges that Bank Melli has played a central role in transferring money to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps and other proxy groups responsible for attacks against Israel and other targets. This move comes as tensions remain high, with Iran facing internal unrest and international scrutiny over its regional activities.
image sourced from original article at https://www.timesofisrael.com/liveblog_entry/israel-designates-irans-state-owned-bank-melli-a-terror-organization/Original article source: https://www.timesofisrael.com/liveblog_entry/israel-designates-irans-state-owned-bank-melli-a-terror-organization/
Source Id: 2026-01-951434838



