The United States has imposed a fresh round of sanctions targeting 12 vessels linked to Iran’s shadow fleet, the Treasury Department announced as part of an expanded campaign to curb Tehran’s oil revenue and pressure its weapons programs.
Under the latest action by the Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC), the sanctioned ships and their owners or operators are accused of transporting hundreds of millions of dollars’ worth of Iranian petroleum and petrochemical products to international markets, helping Tehran generate revenue that, according to the US, funds regional proxy groups, ballistic missile development and other military objectives.
The designated vessels include a mix of LPG carriers, crude oil tankers and product tankers that have been active in moving Iranian products to destinations across East Asia, South Asia and beyond, including liquified petroleum gas (LPG), high-sulphur fuel oil, condensate, naphtha and other cargoes.
Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said the measures are part of a broader “maximum pressure” campaign aimed at disrupting networks that enable Iran to exploit global financial systems for illicit oil sales and to procure materials for its ballistic missile and weapons programs.
In addition to the vessels, OFAC also designated multiple individuals and entities based in Iran, Türkiye and the United Arab Emirates that are accused of facilitating procurement of precursor chemicals and machinery used by Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps and the Ministry of Defence.
The sanctions freeze any property of the listed vessels and parties within US jurisdiction and generally prohibit Americans from engaging in business with them unless authorised by the government.
The latest measures come amid ongoing diplomatic activity, including nuclear negotiations and regional tensions, as Washington intensifies efforts to limit Tehran’s ability to monetise its oil exports while pressing for concessions on its nuclear and missile programs.
