The United States has imposed fresh sanctions targeting Iran’s military-linked oil trade, intensifying economic pressure on Tehran despite ongoing efforts to sustain a fragile ceasefire and restore shipping through the Strait of Hormuz.
According to the US Treasury Department, the sanctions target eight vessels accused of transporting Iranian crude oil and petroleum products to international markets.
The affected vessels include the Marshall Islands-flagged tanker Flora, the Comoros-flagged crude oil tanker Hauncayo, and the Panama-flagged tanker Ill Gap.
Washington also sanctioned more than 15 entities allegedly linked to Iran’s oil export network, including companies based in Hong Kong and Dubai.
US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said the measures were aimed at preventing Iran from rebuilding its military capabilities through oil revenues.
“We will not allow the Iranian government to increase its oil revenue for the purpose of reconstituting its armed forces and military capabilities,” Bessent said in a statement.
The Treasury Department alleged that some of the sanctioned companies were involved in securing petroleum products on behalf of entities connected to Iran’s armed forces, including Sepehr Energy Jahan, which Washington previously identified as the oil sales arm of Iran’s Armed Forces General Staff.
The latest sanctions come even as the United States and Iran continue negotiations aimed at extending a ceasefire and reopening maritime traffic through the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world’s most important energy transit routes.
The conflict, which began after US and Israeli strikes on Iran in late February, disrupted global energy markets and sharply reduced traffic through the strategic waterway that normally handles about 20 percent of the world’s oil and gas shipments.
Although diplomats have recently signalled progress in talks, President Donald Trump has not formally approved any final ceasefire arrangement, and tensions remain high following renewed military exchanges between both sides.
