In a significant escalation of its maximum pressure campaign against Iran, the United States has imposed new sanctions targeting 16 entities and vessels involved in Iran’s petroleum and petrochemical industry.
The move, announced by the U.S. Department of State on Monday, aims to disrupt Iran’s ability to generate revenue from oil sales, which the U.S. alleges funds terrorism and destabilizing activities worldwide.
The sanctions, coordinated with the Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC), also target a combined total of 22 individuals and identify 13 vessels as blocked property across multiple jurisdictions. These measures are designed to cripple a network of illicit shipping facilitators that have allegedly shipped tens of millions of barrels of crude oil worth hundreds of millions of dollars to buyers in Asia.
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The newly designated entities and individuals are accused of obfuscating their roles in loading and transporting Iranian oil, enabling the regime to circumvent existing sanctions and amass revenue. “This network of illicit shipping facilitators deceives its role in loading and transporting Iranian oil for sale to buyers in Asia,” the State Department said in a press statement. “Today’s action represents an initial step to realize President Trump’s campaign of maximum pressure on the Iranian regime.”
The sanctions are part of a broader effort to cut off funding for Iran’s malign activities, including its support for terrorist organizations and destabilizing actions in the Middle East. “As long as Iran devotes its energy revenues to financing attacks on our allies, supporting terrorism around the world, or pursuing other destabilizing actions, we will use all the tools at our disposal to hold the regime accountable,” the statement added.
The sanctions are being implemented under Executive Orders 13902 and 13846, which specifically target Iran’s petroleum and petrochemical sectors. This marks the second round of sanctions targeting Iranian oil sales since President Trump issued National Security Presidential Memorandum 2, which ordered a campaign of maximum pressure on Iran.
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The Trump administration has consistently pursued a hardline approach toward Iran, withdrawing from the 2015 nuclear deal (Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action) and reimposing a wide range of sanctions aimed at crippling the Iranian economy. The latest measures underscore the administration’s commitment to isolating Iran economically and diplomatically.
Iran’s oil industry is a critical source of revenue for the regime, and the new sanctions are expected to further strain its already struggling economy. By targeting key players in the oil trade, the U.S. aims to limit Iran’s ability to generate funds for its military activities, including support for proxy groups like Hezbollah and Hamas, as well as its ballistic missile program.
The sanctions also send a message to international buyers of Iranian oil, particularly in Asia, that they risk facing U.S. penalties if they continue to engage in transactions with sanctioned entities.
The latest sanctions are part of a broader strategy to exert maximum pressure on Iran, forcing the regime to change its behavior or face continued economic isolation. The Trump administration has repeatedly emphasized that it will not tolerate Iran’s support for terrorism, human rights abuses, or efforts to destabilize the Middle East.
“We will continue to disrupt such illicit funding streams for Iran’s malign activities,” the State Department said. “The United States remains committed to holding the Iranian regime accountable for its actions and ensuring the safety and security of our allies in the region.”
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