In a bold move to cripple Iran’s ability to fund its military and nuclear ambitions, the United States Treasury Department announced sanctions on Monday against 12 individuals and entities. These actors are accused of orchestrating a complex network to help the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) sell and transport Iranian oil to China, bypassing existing restrictions.
The US government announced sanctions against three people and nine companies, including four based in Hong Kong and four in the United Arab Emirates, for aiding Iran’s shipment of oil to China. The ninth company is based in Oman https://t.co/o8VM8gzfiK
— Reuters (@Reuters) May 12, 2026
The sanctions target key players located in Iran, Hong Kong, the United Arab Emirates, and Oman. These individuals and companies allegedly facilitated the illicit shipments of Iranian oil and managed the associated financial transactions on behalf of the IRGC, a U.S.-designated terrorist organization.
According to the Treasury Department, the network utilized shell companies in various foreign jurisdictions to mask the IRGC’s involvement in the oil sales and move the resulting revenues outside of Iran, effectively hiding their activities from international scrutiny. Some of these shipments involved tankers that had already been sanctioned, operating within what the U.S. refers to as Iran’s “shadow fleet.”
Among those facing sanctions are Ahmad Mohammadi Zadeh, identified as the head of the IRGC’s Shahid Purja’fari Oil Headquarters, as well as finance chief Samad Fathi Salami and commercial chief Mohammadreza Ashrafi Ghehi, all playing critical roles in the operation.
Several firms have also been blacklisted, including Hong Kong Blue Ocean Limited, Hong Kong Sanmu Limited, Ocean Allianz Shipping LLC, and Universal Fortune Trading LLC, for their alleged involvement in facilitating the illicit oil trade.
Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent issued a strong statement, emphasizing the U.S.’s commitment to disrupting Iran’s revenue streams that support its destabilizing activities. “As Iran’s military desperately tries to regroup, Economic Fury will continue to deprive the regime of funding for its weapons programs, terrorist proxies and nuclear ambitions,” Bessent stated.
This action underscores the U.S. government’s determination to enforce sanctions against Iran and prevent it from circumventing international regulations to finance its malign activities in the region. The Treasury Department will continue to monitor and target networks that enable Iran’s illicit oil sales, ensuring that the regime is held accountable for its actions.
You May Like To Read: Pentagon Reveals Updated Cost of War with Iran: $29 Billion
Check out our latest video:
