WANA (Feb 25) – The U.S. Department of the Treasury announced fresh sanctions against Iran’s oil sector late Monday, targeting 16 companies and 13 vessels allegedly linked to the country’s energy industry.

 

In a statement published on its website, the Treasury Department named the sanctioned entities as part of Washington’s continued pressure campaign against Tehran. According to the statement, the sanctions target “oil brokers” based in the United Arab Emirates and Hong Kong, as well as tanker operators and managers in India and the People’s Republic of China (PRC). Additionally, Hamid Bourd, CEO of Iran’s National Iranian Oil Company (NIOC), and Iran Oil Terminals Company were among those blacklisted.

 

U.S. Justifies Sanctions, Citing “Secret Networks”

U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bassett claimed in the statement that: “Iran relies on a clandestine network of ships and oil brokers to facilitate oil sales and fund its destabilizing activities. The United States will use all available tools to target every aspect of Iran’s oil supply chain, and anyone dealing with Iranian oil risks severe sanctions.”

 

Iran Condemns Sanctions, Calls for Their Removal

The latest sanctions were announced amid renewed international debate over U.S. policies against Iran. Seyed Abbas Araghchi, Iran’s Foreign Minister, denounced unilateral sanctions during his speech at the United Nations Human Rights Council summit. “For decades, Iran has faced multiple challenges, including terrorism and unlawful sanctions,” Araghchi stated. “These restrictions have had devastating impacts on our economy and the socio-economic rights of Iranian citizens.”

 

He further emphasized that despite these pressures, Iran has achieved significant progress in women’s rights, healthcare, education, industry, and economic development in line with Islamic principles.

 

“The greatest human rights violation in the global community today is the imposition of illegal, unilateral sanctions, which disproportionately harm ordinary people and vulnerable groups,” Araghchi said, stressing that Iran has always opposed such actions.

 

Trump’s Maximum Pressure Strategy Returns

The U.S. Treasury Department stated that the latest sanctions align with Donald Trump’s directive to reimplement maximum pressure policies on Iran, effective February 4, 2025. Alongside Hamid Bourd, other sanctioned officials include:

  • Abbas Asadrouz, CEO and Vice Chairman of Iran Oil Terminals Company
  • Seyed Ali Miri, Gholamhossein Garmi, and Ali Moalemi

 

The Treasury Department accused Iran of depending on oil brokers in China and the UAE to “export and transport its crude oil,” leading to sanctions on multiple Chinese and Emirati firms. Additionally, nine tankers identified as part of what Washington calls Iran’s “shadow fleet” were also blacklisted. The Treasury further targeted eight companies in Iran, India, Malaysia, Seychelles, and the UAE for their role in purchasing, selling, and transporting Iranian crude oil.

 

Contradictions in U.S. Policy?

Despite the fresh wave of sanctions, Trump has expressed a willingness to negotiate with Iran. However, Iranian officials, while open to diplomacy, have dismissed the possibility of talks under the current pressure campaign, asserting that the maximum pressure strategy is bound to fail.