US sanctions 16 entities, vessels over Iran’s oil trade

The United States Department of State has announced sanctions on 16 entities and vessels involved in Iran’s petroleum and petrochemical industry as part of an effort to curb Tehran’s oil revenues. 

The measures, taken in coordination with the Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC), also designate 22 individuals and identify 13 vessels as blocked property across multiple jurisdictions.

According to the State Department, the targeted network has been engaged in illicit shipping operations, disguising its role in loading and transporting Iranian crude oil to buyers in Asia. 

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Officials estimate that these activities have facilitated the shipment of tens of millions of barrels of crude oil, generating hundreds of millions of dollars in revenue for Iran.

The latest sanctions are a key step in President Trump’s ongoing maximum-pressure campaign against the Iranian regime. The administration aims to disrupt Iran’s ability to use its oil earnings to support terrorism, finance attacks on U.S. allies, and engage in destabilizing activities.

“We will continue to disrupt such illicit funding streams for Iran’s malign activities,” the State Department stated. “As long as Iran devotes its energy revenues to financing attacks, supporting terrorism, or pursuing destabilizing actions, we will use all available tools to hold the regime accountable.”

The sanctions fall under Executive Orders 13902 and 13846, which target Iran’s petroleum and petrochemical sectors. 

This marks the second round of measures against Iranian oil sales since President Trump issued National Security Presidential Memorandum 2, reinforcing his administration’s commitment to cutting off Tehran’s economic lifelines.

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