|By Adejumo Adekunle-
-Israel Targets Iran’s Financial Nerve Centre After Ceasefire
– Tehran’s Central Bank, Military-Linked Firms Branded Terror Organisations
Just a day after a fragile ceasefire took hold between Israel and Iran, Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz has declared Iran’s Central Bank and several affiliated entities as terrorist organisations, intensifying the strategic pressure on Tehran.
In a statement issued on Wednesday, Katz confirmed that he signed a special directive formally labeling the Central Bank of Iran, two other Iranian financial institutions, and a military-linked Iranian company as terror organisations.
“This is part of Israel’s broader campaign against Iran,” Katz stated.
“It targets the heart of the Iranian regime’s terror financing system, which funds, arms, and directs terrorism throughout the region.”
The move aims to cripple the financial networks allegedly used by Iran to support militant groups across the Middle East, including Hezbollah, the Houthis, and Iraqi militias.
The decision follows a tense 12-day military escalation that nearly tipped the region into full-scale war. Hostilities flared after U.S. airstrikes reportedly targeted Iranian nuclear facilities, prompting Iran to launch missile and drone attacks on Israeli cities. One of the most severe strikes hit Ramat Aviv in Tel Aviv, leaving at least 16 civilians injured.
The ceasefire, brokered by the United States and Qatar, paused open hostilities but did not end the conflict, Israeli military leadership warned.
“We have concluded a significant phase, but the campaign against Iran is not over,” said Israel’s Chief of General Staff, Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir, in a separate statement on Tuesday.
“We are entering a new phase based on the achievements of the current one.”
The long-standing shadow war between Israel and Iran took a sharp turn following the Hamas-led attack on Israel in October, which dragged multiple Iran-backed proxies into direct confrontation with the Israeli state.
Israel’s latest move to label Iran’s central financial institutions as terror entities signals its intention to apply economic warfare alongside military deterrence in its strategy to contain Tehran’s regional influence.
