On Thursday, the U.S. Treasury Department announced new sanctions against a network of shipping companies, tanker operators, and commercial facilitators that are believed to be involved in the trade of Iranian oil and p...
On Thursday, the U.S. Treasury Department announced new sanctions against a network of shipping companies, tanker operators, and commercial facilitators that are believed to be involved in the trade of Iranian oil and petrochemicals. This move highlights the U.S. commitment to increasing pressure on Iran's maritime export system.
The sanctions were issued by the Treasury Department's Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC), adding several shipping companies, vessels, and trading businesses from Hong Kong, the UAE, India, Qatar, Singapore, China, Liberia, and the Marshall Islands to the Specially Designated Nationals (SDN) list.
Some of the newly sanctioned entities include Dubai's Symphony Shipping and Maritime Management, Hong Kong's Agility Shipping Limited, Marshall Islands-based Trastok Shipping Co., and UAE's Vanguard Marine Ventures.
The Treasury designated eight vessels believed to be linked to these sanctioned companies. This list includes crude oil tankers like RCELEBRA, THEA, ILL GAP, and HAUNCAYO, alongside several older product and chemical tankers.
These actions come during a period when the Trump administration is increasing economic pressure on Iran's energy exports amid the ongoing crisis in the Strait of Hormuz. Some of the entities were sanctioned under Executive Order 13846, which targets support for Iran’s oil sector, while others are connected to alleged backing of Sepehr Energy Jahan Nama Pars Company, previously associated with the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps-Qods Force.
The sanctions also involve commercial intermediaries in India and Hong Kong, such as Rishabh Triexim LLP and Growth Trading Co., which the Treasury claims helped facilitate Iranian energy trades.
The new sanctions are being introduced as the U.S. and Iran reportedly discuss a plan to allow unrestricted commercial shipping through the Strait of Hormuz and to extend a current ceasefire by an additional 60 days.
Alongside measures related to Iran, the OFAC issued Russia-related General License 131F, approving specific transactions related to the negotiation and potential sale of Lukoil International GmbH, while also updating two related FAQs.
These latest sanctions show the U.S. focus on combating what officials describe as a growing “shadow fleet” system that supports oil trades through hidden ownership structures, flag changes, and lightly regulated maritime jurisdictions.
The designations freeze any U.S.-linked assets that belong to the targeted parties and generally prevent U.S. individuals from engaging in transactions with them.