WASHINGTON (MNN); The United States Treasury Department has imposed sanctions on more than 30 individuals, entities and so-called “shadow fleet” vessels accused of facilitating Iran’s illegal petroleum exports as well as supporting its ballistic missile and weapons production programs.
In a statement issued on Wednesday, the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control said it had also taken action against several networks allegedly assisting Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps and the Ministry of Defence and Armed Forces Logistics in obtaining precursor materials and machinery required for missile and other weapons manufacturing.
President Donald Trump has intensified efforts to pressure Iran’s economy. As part of this campaign, he has deployed additional US military forces to the Middle East and warned that military action could be considered if Tehran fails to reach an agreement to resolve the long-running dispute over its nuclear programme. Trump reiterated the possibility of an attack during his State of the Union address to Congress on Tuesday night.
Iran maintains that its nuclear activities are intended solely for civilian energy purposes. However, according to a senior Iranian official who spoke to Reuters, Tehran and Washington remain deeply divided over which sanctions should be lifted and the timing of any potential relief.
Iran did not immediately comment on the newly announced sanctions.
The Treasury Department said the measures include sanctions on 12 shadow fleet vessels and their owners or operators, which it alleges have transported hundreds of millions of dollars’ worth of Iranian petroleum and petrochemical products.
The term “shadow fleet” refers to ships that transport oil subject to international sanctions. These vessels are often ageing, operate under unclear ownership structures, and lack the high-level insurance coverage required to meet global standards set by major oil companies and many international ports.
US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent stated that Iran uses global financial systems to sell illicit oil, channel proceeds into its nuclear and conventional weapons programmes, and support allied militant groups.
