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Bank Melli

Bank Melli is Iran's largest commercial bank and a central pillar of the Iranian financial system, designated by Israel as a terrorist organization due to its role in financing regional instability and IRGC activities.

The Zioneer Intelligence Desk
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Bank Melli Iran (BMI) serves as a critical financial artery for the Iranian regime, functioning as the first national bank of Iran. While it operates as a commercial entity providing retail and corporate banking, its strategic importance lies in its integration with the state's security apparatus. In late 2023 or early 2024, Israel formally designated Bank Melli as a terrorist organization, a move reflecting intelligence assessments that the institution facilitates the transfer of funds to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) and its regional proxies. This designation aligns with long-standing international scrutiny, including previous U.S. sanctions aimed at curbing Iran's ability to fund its nuclear program and regional militancy.

Beyond its role in state finance, Bank Melli is a frequent target in the ongoing shadow war between Iran and its adversaries. As a central node in the Iranian economy, any disruption to its services—ranging from online banking to ATM networks—has immediate and widespread effects on the Iranian civilian population and the regime's domestic stability. Recent disruptions reported by semi-official Iranian sources suggest the bank remains a high-priority target for cyber operations intended to signal the vulnerability of the Iranian financial core. For Israel and the international community, monitoring Bank Melli is essential for tracking the flow of illicit capital used to sustain the 'Axis of Resistance' and for applying economic pressure on the leadership in Tehran.

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