Several U.S.-Linked Banks in the Region Reportedly Close Branches Following Iranian Military Warning
WANA (Mar 11) – Several international banks linked to the United States have reportedly closed or reduced operations in parts of the Middle East after warnings issued by Iran’s armed forces.
According to reports, the measures followed a reported U.S.–Israeli airstrike on a branch of Bank Sepah in Iran, where employees were working overnight to process end-of-year salary payments. The strike allegedly killed several bank staff who were on duty at the time.
Following the incident, Iran reportedly issued warnings to banks viewed as representing the interests of the United States and Israel in regional countries. In response, some institutions have temporarily shut down branches or heightened security measures.
Sources said that Standard Chartered evacuated staff from its offices in Dubai, located in the United Arab Emirates.
News sources also reported that other international banks have increased security precautions after Iran warned it could target American and “Zionist” financial institutions.
In a related development, HSBC reportedly closed all of its branches in Qatar following the warnings. According to reports, a message sent to customers stated that all branches would remain closed until further notice in order to ensure the safety of clients and bank employees.
Meanwhile, The New York Times reported that Citibank has also shut down its offices in Dubai. The bank’s Dubai offices are considered its main regional headquarters in the Middle East.
The reported closures and security measures come amid rising tensions after the alleged overnight strike on the Iranian bank branch, which Iranian sources say resulted in the deaths of several employees working during a scheduled shift.
Iran Warns of Retaliation After Bank Targeted in Alleged U.S.–Israeli Strike
WANA (Mar 11) – A spokesperson for Iran’s Khatam al-Anbiya Central Headquarters said that a recent attack on one of the country’s banks by what he described as the “terrorist U.S. army” has opened the way for Iran to target economic centers linked to the United States and Israel in the region. Ebrahim Zolfaqari, […]
