Lebanon’s central bank this week revoked the operating licence of Export Bank of Iran’s Lebanese branch, saying the move aims to shield the domestic banking system from potential contagion risk, central bank governor Karim Souaid said. The action follows similar tightening by UAE and Turkey as the US intensifies pressure on Iran’s financial links. Export Bank of Iran, one of Iran’s oldest commercial banks with multiple overseas branches, was among US‑sanctioned Iranian banks whose new licence ap

Lebanon’s central bank this week revoked the operating licence of Export Bank of Iran’s Lebanese branch, saying the move aims to shield the domestic banking system from potential contagion risk, central bank governor Karim Souaid said. The action follows similar tightening by UAE and Turkey as the US intensifies pressure on Iran’s financial links. Export Bank of Iran, one of Iran’s oldest commercial banks with multiple overseas branches, was among US‑sanctioned Iranian banks whose new licence applications were rejected by the UK last month; the bank formerly operated a London branch near the Bank of England.