State Department reimposes ‘maximum pressure’ sanctions on Iran’s oil trade

The U.S. State Department and Department of the Treasury have reinstated what they are calling “maximum pressure” sanctions on Iran’s oil trade. The move comes amid heightened tensions between Tehran and Washington following President Donald Trump’s inauguration last month.

According to a statement from State Department spokesperson Tammy Bruce, 16 entities and vessels have been designated as part of a “network of illicit shipping facilitators” that disguise their role in loading and transporting Iranian oil for sale to buyers in Asia. The Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) is also sanctioning a total of 22 individuals and identifying 13 vessels as blocked property across multiple jurisdictions for their involvement in Iran’s oil industry.

Bruce stated that those involved in this shadowy network have shipped millions of barrels of crude oil worth hundreds of millions of dollars. The State and Treasury Departments are taking action to disrupt Iran’s efforts to amass oil revenues to fund terrorist activities.

Among those facing sanctions are oil brokers in the UAE and Hong Kong, tanker operators and managers in India and China, as well as officials from Iran’s National Iranian Oil Company and Iranian Oil Terminals Company. Secretary of the Treasury Scott Bessent emphasized that the U.S. will continue to target anyone involved in the illicit network with Iran.

The reimposition of these sanctions is part of President Trump’s campaign of maximum pressure on the Iranian regime. The goal is to disrupt Iran’s oil sales and funding of destabilizing activities. Bessent highlighted that the U.S. will use all available tools to target Iran’s oil supply chain and anyone dealing with Iranian oil faces significant sanctions risk.

The return of the maximum pressure campaign coincides with escalating tensions in the Middle East between Iran-backed Hamas and Israel, as well as strained relations between Tehran and Washington under the Trump administration. Last year, the U.S. Department of Justice charged Iran with an assassination attempt against President Trump, allegedly in retaliation for the elimination of IRGC General Qassem Soleimani in 2020. Iranian President Hassan Rouhani denied the claim during an interview with NBC News.

Iran has consistently pushed back against U.S. efforts to curb its nuclear ambitions. The situation remains volatile as both countries navigate their complex relationship. The reimposition of sanctions underscores the ongoing challenges in the region and the efforts to address Iran’s destabilizing activities.