14.07.2026 09:40
Nearly nine years later, the day of decision has arrived for Reza Zarrab, who pleaded guilty and cooperated with the prosecution in a case involving the violation of U.S. sanctions against Iran in the United States. While the federal court in New York is expected to announce Zarrab's sentence today, his testimonies previously played a significant role in the Halkbank case and the processes concerning former Economy Minister Zafer Çağlayan and Mehmet Hakan Atilla.
A critical phase has been reached in the US case involving the illegal circumvention of sanctions against Iran. Reza Zarrab, who admitted his guilt and cooperated with prosecutors, will have his sentence announced after approximately nine years.
The sentence Zarrab will receive will be determined at the hearing to be held in the federal court in Manhattan, New York.
### ARRESTED 9 YEARS AGO
Reza Zarrab was taken into custody by the US Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) in Miami on March 19, 2016, while traveling with his family, and was arrested on March 21, 2016.
Zarrab's arrest also led to a case being filed in the US against Halkbank due to his role in violating sanctions against Iran.
### ADMITTED GUILT AND RELEASED
Zarrab, who cooperated with the prosecution and admitted his guilt, was released on bail in 2018. In his statements in court, he claimed that he paid former Economy Minister Zafer Çağlayan bribes of 45-50 million euros and $7 million, and that Çağlayan demanded a profit share from trade with Iran.
Zarrab also described in detail in court how payments for oil and natural gas from Iran were conducted in a manner to circumvent sanctions.
### ALSO TESTIFIED IN HAKAN ATİLLA CASE
Zarrab also testified against Mehmet Hakan Atilla, the former Deputy General Manager of Halkbank, who was tried in the US in 2017. Atilla, due to his role in violating Iran sanctions, returned to Turkey in 2019 after being detained for 28 months. Atilla, who later assumed the role of General Manager of Borsa Istanbul, left this position after two years.
### HALKBANK CASE WAS DISMISSED
The Halkbank case, which had been ongoing in the US for approximately nine years, was dismissed in June 2026. An agreement was reached between the US Department of Justice and Halkbank in March.
It is known to be a common practice in the US for the sentences of witnesses cooperating with authorities to be announced after the completion of the cases in which they testified.
Judge Richard Berman, while evaluating the request to dismiss the Halkbank case, had set today's date for Zarrab's sentence to be announced.