US imposes fresh Iran sanctions, targets 27 companies, six individuals and 22 vessels

WASHINGTON DC: The United States (US) has announced a fresh round of Iran-related sanctions targeting 27 companies, six individuals and 22 vessels, as the Trump administration intensifies economic pressure on Tehran and seeks to disrupt its oil trade and alleged sanctions-evasion networks, Al Jazeera reported.

According to a press release issued by the US Department of the Treasury, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said the latest action was aimed at cutting off revenue used by the Iranian regime and targeting those facilitating Iran’s oil sales and sanctions evasion.

“Treasury is starving the tyrannical regime in Tehran of the money it uses to wage war in the region, and we will continue exposing those who enable the regime’s oil sales,” Bessent said.

“No enabler of Iranian sanctions evasion is safe from the full force of Treasury’s authorities.” The Treasury said the action, taken under Operation Economic Outcast, targets Iran’s remaining shadow fleet, an ageing network of tankers used to transport petroleum and petroleum products to foreign markets.

The designations cover shipping operators, maritime management companies and trading firms across several countries, including Turkiye, China, the United Arab Emirates, the United Kingdom and the Marshall Islands. The Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) said the designations cover shipping operators, maritime management companies and trading firms across several countries, including Turkiye, China, the United Arab Emirates, the United Kingdom and the Marshall Islands.