The US Treasury Department's Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) issued a public warning on Monday to foreign financial institutions, stating that maintaining business dealings with Iran or its financial sector could result in sanctions.

The key points are as follows: Foreign financial institutions that continue to transact with sanctioned Iranian financial institutions may face sanctions at any time without prior notice, and should take immediate action to sever the relevant activities and relationships.

Foreign financial institutions that assist Iran in accessing the global financial system, including providing financial services to Iranian banks and their subsidiaries or branches in third countries, may also face sanctions as a result.

If Iran-related transactions cause US financial institutions or other US persons to violate sanctions regulations, foreign financial institutions may also face civil or criminal enforcement penalties.

Foreign financial institutions that may be involved in Iran's "shadow banking" activities should take measures to identify and block such activities.