US Treasury Imposes Sanctions on Over 30 Entities in Iran Pressure Campaign
The United States Department of the Treasury's Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) announced on Wednesday a significant sanctions action targeting more than thirty individuals, entities, and vessels. These sanctions are part of an ongoing pressure campaign aimed at disrupting Iran's illicit petroleum sales and its ballistic missile and advanced conventional weapons programs.
Targeting Iran's Shadow Fleet and Weapons Procurement
According to the Treasury, the measures specifically target vessels linked to what officials describe as Iran's "shadow fleet." This fleet consists of ships used to transport Iranian petroleum and petrochemical products to foreign markets in violation of existing sanctions. The action also focuses on networks allegedly assisting Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) and Ministry of Defense and Armed Forces Logistics in obtaining precursor chemicals and sensitive machinery necessary to rebuild missile and weapons production capacity.
Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent stated, "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."
Detailed List of Sanctioned Vessels and Entities
The Treasury designated twelve vessels and their owners or operators, accusing them of collectively transporting hundreds of millions of dollars' worth of Iranian petroleum and petrochemical products. Among those listed were the Panama-flagged HOOT, accused of shipping liquified petroleum gas to Bangladesh, and the Barbados-flagged OCEAN KOI and NORTH STAR, which officials say moved millions of barrels of high sulfur fuel oil and condensate.
Other vessels cited include:
- The Comoros-flagged FELICITA
- Iran-flagged ATEELA 1 and ATEELA 2
- The Palau-flagged NIBA and DANUTA I
- The Vanuatu-flagged LUMA
- The Panama-flagged REMIZ and GAS FATE
- The Palau-flagged ALAA
U.S. authorities allege these ships transported Iranian liquified petroleum gas, fuel oil, naphtha, and grey ammonia to markets in East Asia, Türkiye, Bangladesh, and Pakistan over the past several years.
Procurement Networks and Individual Designations
Beyond shipping, the Treasury also sanctioned nine individuals and entities based in Iran, Türkiye, and the United Arab Emirates for allegedly facilitating procurement of chemicals and equipment for the IRGC and Iran's defence ministry.
Iran-based Oje Parvaz Mado Nafar Company was cited as a producer of engines used in Shahed-series unmanned aerial vehicles. Turkish companies Utus Gumrukleme Gida Tekstil Ithalat Ihracat Dis Ticaret ve Sanayi Limited Sirketi, Arya Global Gida Sanayi ve Ticaret Limited Sirketi, and Altis Tekstil Makina Ticaret Limited Sirketi were accused of acting as financial intermediaries in related transactions.
The Treasury also named Iran-based Adak Pargas Pars Trading Company and UAE-based Mostafa Roknifard Prime Choice General Trading LLC in connection with alleged efforts to procure sodium perchlorate for Iranian government-linked customers, including Parchin Chemical Industries.
Additionally, four individuals based in Iran were designated for alleged ties to Qods Aviation Industries, an entity under Iran's Ministry of Defense. According to the Treasury, two employees traveled to Russia to provide technical support for Mohajer-series drones, while two others traveled to Venezuela for similar support activities.
Sanctions Enforcement and Broader Campaign
Under U.S. sanctions rules, any property or interests in property belonging to the designated individuals or entities that are in the United States or controlled by U.S. persons are blocked and must be reported to OFAC.
The Treasury noted that in 2025 alone, more than 875 persons, vessels, and aircraft have been sanctioned as part of what it describes as an ongoing pressure campaign targeting Iran's energy exports and weapons-related activities. This latest action underscores the United States' continued efforts to curb Iran's destabilizing activities through economic measures.
