WANA (Apr 22) – As indirect negotiations with Tehran over Iran’s nuclear program continue, the U.S. Department of the Treasury on Tuesday announced a new round of sanctions targeting an Iranian liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) trader and his extensive network of affiliated companies.

 

In a statement issued on April 22, the Treasury accused the network, led by Iranian businessman Asadollah Emamjomeh, of facilitating the export of hundreds of millions of dollars’ worth of Iranian LPG and crude oil to foreign markets — in violation of U.S. sanctions.

 

According to U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, Asadollah Emamjomeh and his associates attempted to ship thousands of LPG consignments, including some originating from U.S. territory, in efforts to bypass American sanctions. “Their network represents a deliberate attempt to undermine the sanctions regime and illegally profit from Iranian energy exports,” Bessent said.

 

The latest measures, which reflect Washington’s continued pressure campaign despite ongoing diplomacy, target two individuals, twelve entities, and one vessel associated with Iran’s energy trade.

 

Among the newly sanctioned companies are Iran-based Arsa Gas and Nilgon Parsay Caspian, UAE-based Caspian Petrochemical and Pearl Petrochemical, and the UK-registered firm Worldwide LPG.

 

This marks the latest in a series of sanctions imposed by the Trump administration in recent weeks, as part of a dual-track strategy that combines diplomatic engagement with firm economic enforcement.

 

The move underscores the U.S. stance that while diplomacy remains on the table, Iran’s circumvention of sanctions will not go unchecked.