US vows to tighten sanctions on Khamenei as Iran accuses UAE of backing US strikes

10/07/2026

US vows to tighten sanctions on Khamenei as Iran accuses UAE of backing US strikes

WASHINGTON / TEHRAN, Jul 10: The United States will continue using sanctions to isolate Iran's Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei and other senior Iranian officials from the global financial system, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said on Friday.

In a post on X, Bessent said Washington would use "every tool" at its disposal to target Iran's leadership, adding that assets frozen under US sanctions would be preserved "for the Iranian people."

"The so-called Supreme Leader is hiding in seclusion while his regime crumbles. Treasury will continue using every tool at its disposal to isolate him and other regime elites from the global financial system," Bessent wrote.

Meanwhile, Iran accused the United Arab Emirates of supporting recent US military strikes and said Abu Dhabi should be held accountable.

Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister for Legal Affairs Kazem Gharibabadi cited a US Commerce Department document easing export controls on the UAE, saying the move acknowledged the country's support for US national security interests, including Operation Epic Fury. He argued the document demonstrated the UAE's backing for the US operation against Iran.