12.05.2026 06:41
The US imposed sanctions on 12 individuals and entities for their role in the sale and transportation of Iranian oil to China. The Washington administration stated that the network provided financial support to Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps.
As tensions between the US and Iran continue, a new move from the Washington administration targets Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps. According to a statement from the US Treasury Department, OFAC has decided to impose sanctions on 12 individuals and entities for facilitating the sale and shipment of Iranian oil to China, providing financing to the IRGC.
The statement noted that the IRGC uses international shell companies to conceal oil sales and channel revenue to the regime, alleging that these funds are used for developing weapons programs, supporting proxy terrorist organizations, and financing security forces that suppress the people, rather than for the welfare of the Iranian people. It was stated that these steps, taken under the Trump administration's "maximum pressure" policy, directly target billions of dollars in oil revenue, the regime's primary income source.
IRAN SANCTIONS EXTEND TO ASIA
Under the new sanctions decision, Ahmed Mohammadi Zadeh, the head of the IRGC's Shahid Purjaferi Oil Center, who coordinates the collection of oil debts through shell companies, as well as Finance Chief Samad Fathi Salami, responsible for foreign exchange transactions, and Trade Chief Mohammad Reza Ashrafi Gehi, were added to the sanctions list.
Additionally, Hong Kong-based companies Hong Kong Blue Ocean Limited, Hong Kong Sanmu Limited, Jiandi HK Limited, and Max Honor International Trade Co. were sanctioned for their role in tens of millions of dollars in oil trade using sanctioned tankers.
GULF FIRMS ALSO ON THE LIST
On the Gulf side of the sanctioned entities, logistics and trading companies operating in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Oman were included. Dubai and Sharjah-based Ocean Allianz Shipping LLC, Atic Energy FZE, Blanca Goods Wholesaler LLC, and Universal Fortune Trading LLC, along with Oman-based Zeus Logistics Group, were sanctioned for providing ships, facilitating shipments, and signing contracts on behalf of the IRGC and the National Iranian Oil Company (NIOC). It was noted that under the sanctions, the assets of these individuals and entities in the US have been frozen and trade restrictions imposed.
"WE WILL CONTINUE TO DEPRIVE IRAN OF FINANCING SOURCES"
US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent stated that the latest sanctions are part of the ongoing "Economic Fury" strategy, saying, "As Iran's military elements try to regroup, the 'Economic Fury' strategy will continue to deprive Iran of the financing sources it uses for weapons programs, terrorist proxy forces, carrying out terrorist acts, and destabilizing the global economy."