Trump DOJ Moves to Settle Halkbank Iran Sanctions Case Mid-MOU Window

⚖️ ANKARA — Settling Iran sanctions evasion now sends a message about who enforces what. 📌 LOOK CLOSER: Halkbank laundered billions for Tehran through Turkey's state banking system — prosecuting it was the DOJ's starkest sanctions enforcement case. Settling it now, as Washington negotiates sanctions relief with Iran, signals Turkey gets rewarded for MOU-adjacent cooperation. Congress hardliners already blocking sanctions relief will treat this as exhibit A: the administration is dismantling enforcement before any deal holds.