ANKARA: As the US encourages other nations to put more economic pressure on Tehran, Turkiye’s BDDK banking watchdog suspended the operating licence of Iranian lender Mellat Bank’s branch in Istanbul, according to a notice published in the Official Gazette on Saturday.
Without mentioning the US actions or any operational problems, the notice stated, “It has been decided to revoke the operating licence of Bank Mellat, Head Office in Tehran, Istanbul Turkiye Central Branch.” It stated that the decision was made in accordance with a provision of Turkiye’s banking law that permits the revocation or withdrawal of a bank’s licence if its continued operation is thought to endanger the rights of depositors or the stability and security of the financial system.
The US Treasury Department placed sanctions on two subsidiaries and a minor Turkish investment bank earlier this month. The Treasury added that after talks with both nations about adhering to US sanctions against Iran, Turkiye and Oman had chosen to halt flights operated by Iranian airline Mahan Air to their nations.
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