WANA (Apr 15) – The U.S. Department of the Treasury has imposed new sanctions targeting nine oil tankers, 14 entities, and two individuals allegedly involved in the Iranian oil trade.

 

These measures come despite White House spokesperson Karoline Leavitt describing ongoing negotiations regarding Iran as “constructive” and expressing “optimism” about reaching an agreement.

 

According to reports, the Treasury Department’s Office of Foreign Assets Control issued a statement on Wednesday evening announcing the escalation of pressure on what it termed Iran’s “illegal oil shipping infrastructure.”

 

The statement detailed that the sanctions target more than 24 individuals, companies, and vessels operating within the network of Mohammad Hossein Shamkhani.

 

He is the son of Ali Shamkhani, a senior advisor to the late Leader of the Revolution who was assassinated alongside him during the February 28 attack.