New Sanctions on Iran’s Oil Fleet
WASHINGTON – On Wednesday, the Treasury Department took steps to impose sanctions on what it described as Iran’s “shadow” oil fleet, along with other networks that support the regime’s ballistic missile program.
The Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control disclosed penalties affecting over 30 individuals, entities, and vessels involved in the unlawful sale of Iranian energy. This trade is considered a significant revenue source for fueling domestic oppression, funding terrorist proxies, and supporting weapons programs.
Among those targeted, at least 12 ships were identified for transporting millions of barrels of oil for the Ayatollah regime, coinciding with a violent crackdown on protesters in Iran.
The companies in question include firms not only from Iran but also from Turkey and the United Arab Emirates. These include suppliers of essential materials and advanced machinery to Tehran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC) and the Ministry of Defense Armed Forces Logistics (MODAFL).
Back in 2020, the State Department revealed that some employees from the sanctioned companies had traveled to Russia and Venezuela for technical support.
Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent stated, “Iran is exploiting the financial system to sell illicit oil, launder the proceeds, procure components for its nuclear and conventional weapons programs, and support its terrorist proxies.”
He added that under President Trump’s firm leadership, the Treasury Department will maintain maximum pressure on Iran, pushing the regime to choose its weapon capabilities over the welfare of the Iranian people.
All entities and individuals implicated will be banned from engaging with the U.S. financial system.
Since renewing the maximum pressure campaign in 2025, over 875 individuals, vessels, and aircraft linked to Iran have faced action.
This announcement arrived just a day ahead of discussions with Iranian officials in Geneva as the U.S. edged closer to military intervention.
Witkoff surprised many on February 21 during a Fox News appearance, suggesting that Iran could potentially access industrial bomb-making materials within a week after a U.S. airstrike had destroyed three of its nuclear facilities in June 2025.
In his State of the Union address, President Trump reinforced this idea, alleging that Iran is working to initiate nuclear programs extensively and is once again pursuing its harmful ambitions.
He further claimed that Iran has created missiles capable of hitting U.S. military installations in Europe and the Middle East.
“These are terrible people,” President Trump remarked. “They have developed missiles that threaten Europe and our overseas bases and are progressing on missiles that could reach the United States soon.”
Iranian officials, however, publicly dismissed the president’s statements.
Foreign Ministry Spokesman Esmail Baghaei responded, asserting that claims concerning Iran’s nuclear activities, ballistic missiles, and casualty figures during recent riots are merely a rehash of falsehoods.
The exact number of protestors killed during demonstrations over the severe economic situation in Tehran since December remains uncertain.
President Trump claimed in a congressional address that the regime has killed 32,000 citizens.
Conversely, the Human Rights Defenders News Agency, which collects information from a network of informants in Iran, estimates the death toll at approximately 6,500 protesters.
Additionally, 11,744 incidents are still “under review” by human rights organizations.
President Trump previously warned of potential military action against Iran starting January 2 if the regime continued attacking anti-government protestors, subsequently positioning two U.S. aircraft carrier groups for possible strikes.
