The United States has slapped fresh sanctions on more than 30 individuals companies and vessels it says played key roles in helping Iran move oil procure weapons components and fund its ballistic missile and advanced weapons programmes the U.S. Treasury Department announced on Wednesday. Washington says the measures target networks operating out of Iran the United Arab Emirates and Turkey that have enabled Tehran to sell petroleum through a so‑called “shadow fleet” of ships and funnel revenue into military and missile development an action officials describe as part of a broader strategy to choke off funds that could support destabilizing activities.
Among those sanctioned are multiple vessels accused of transporting hundreds of millions of dollars’ worth of petroleum and petrochemical products firms tied to procurement for Iran’s defence and aviation sectors and shipping firms said to be facilitating illicit oil shipments as U.S. authorities warn that such networks are being used to evade existing sanctions and bolster Tehran’s military industrial base.
Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said the steps fall under executive orders aimed at preventing weapons proliferation and curtailing revenue streams that might fund Tehran’s ballistic missile and proxy operations emphasizing that the White House will continue to apply “maximum pressure” ahead of ongoing nuclear talks in Geneva. Iran has not issued an immediate response but previous sanctions rounds have drawn sharp criticism from Tehran which maintains its nuclear programme is for peaceful purposes only.
The latest sanctions come as Washington balances diplomatic engagement with heightened economic pressure with high‑stakes nuclear negotiations scheduled to resume and officials signaling that if diplomacy falters punitive measures against Iran’s energy and missile networks will continue to tighten.
