Turkiye revokes operating licence of Iran’s Bank Mellat in Istanbul

The Iranian lender has faced years of Western sanctions over alleged ties to Tehran’s nuclear programme.Published On 19 Sep 202619 Sep 2026Turkiye’s banking watchdog has revoked the operating licence of Iranian lender Bank Mellat’s branch in the Turkish city of Istanbul.“It has been decided to revoke the operating licence of Bank Mellat, Head Office in Tehran, Istanbul Turkey Central Branch,” read the decision by the Banking Regulation and Supervision Agency (BDDK), published in the Official Gazette on Saturday.Recommended Stories list of 3 itemslist 1 of 3Trump says Denmark deal gives US security ‘control’ over Greenlandlist 2 of 3Trump signs sweeping Russia sanctions over Ukraine warlist 3 of 3Could US pull one-third of troops from Europe? What that would meanend of listThe regulator said the decision was taken under a clause of Turkiye’s banking law allowing a bank’s licence to be revoked or withdrawn if its continued operation is deemed to pose a risk to depositors’ rights or to the security and stability of the financial system.Bank Mellat has been subject to Western sanctions for years over accusations that Tehran was pursuing a nuclear weapon under the cover of a civil nucle...