The United States Department of the Treasury announced a fresh wave of sanctions Wednesday, targeting more than 30 individuals, companies and vessels accused of helping Iran generate oil revenue and advance its missile and weapons programs.
The measures, issued by the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC), focus heavily on Iran’s so-called “shadow fleet” — aging tankers that move sanctioned crude using opaque ownership structures and minimal insurance. Twelve ships were named, including the Hoot, Ocean Koi, North Star, Felicita, Ateela 1, Ateela 2, Niba, Luma, Remiz, Danuta 1, Alaa and Gas Fate, along with their operators. U.S. officials say the vessels have transported hundreds of millions of dollars’ worth of Iranian petroleum and petrochemical products.
Several maritime and trading firms in Europe and the Middle East were also blacklisted, as were networks in Iran, Turkey and the United Arab Emirates accused of securing precursor chemicals and sensitive equipment tied to weapons manufacturing. Among the entities cited were Qods Aviation Industries — previously sanctioned — and companies allegedly involved in drone production for Iranian military branches and overseas buyers. Four individuals connected to Qods Aviation Industries were included in the action.
Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said in a statement: “Iran exploits financial systems to sell illicit oil, launder the proceeds, procure components for its nuclear and conventional weapons programs and support its terrorist proxies. Treasury will continue to put maximum pressure on Iran to target the regime’s weapons capabilities and support for terrorism, which it has prioritized over the lives of the Iranian people.”
The sanctions block any U.S.-based assets tied to those listed and prohibit American citizens and companies from conducting business with them. While many of the targets are unlikely to hold U.S. funds, the move reinforces Washington’s broader economic pressure campaign.
The action comes as President Donald Trump ramps up pressure on Tehran ahead of renewed nuclear talks in Geneva, mediated by Oman. Tehran maintains its nuclear work is for peaceful energy purposes. However, prior to recent U.S. strikes on three nuclear sites, Iran had enriched uranium to 60% purity — a technical step below weapons-grade levels.
The Trump administration has bolstered its military presence in the Middle East and warned of potential force if Iran refuses to curb its nuclear ambitions. In his State of the Union address, Trump reiterated that Iran must not obtain a nuclear weapon, saying, “We wiped it out and they want to start all over again. And they’re at this moment again pursuing their sinister ambitions,” and adding, “We are in negotiations with them. They want to make a deal, but we haven’t heard those secret words: We will never have a nuclear weapon.”
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