Washington says the latest measures target networks accused of generating revenue for Iran through maritime activities linked to the Strait of Hormuz.
WASHINGTON, United States — WEB DESK: The United States has imposed sanctions on 10 additional Iran-linked entities and eight oil tankers, accusing them of helping generate revenue for Tehran through activities connected to the Strait of Hormuz, according to the US Treasury Department.
In a statement, the US Department of the Treasury said the latest sanctions target organizations and vessels allegedly involved in schemes designed to raise funds through maritime operations in the strategically important waterway. Six of the sanctioned entities are based in China, according to the department.
Treasury Targets Maritime Network
The Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) designated two organizations — Persian Gulf Marine Insurance Company and Hormoz Safe Marine Services Authority — alleging they played a central role in a network that sought to generate revenue through insurance-related services and digital asset transactions linked to vessels transiting the Strait of Hormuz.
US authorities allege the network enabled Iran to secure financial resources despite existing international sanctions.
US Says Pressure Campaign Will Continue
The latest measures follow recent remarks by US President Donald Trump, who said Washington would take a tougher approach toward Iran.
US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said the United States would not allow Iran to use one of the world’s most important maritime trade routes to finance activities linked to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC).
“We will not allow Iran to hold global commerce hostage or use international waterways to finance terrorism, aggression and coercion,” Bessent said in the Treasury statement.
He also claimed Iran’s economy is under severe pressure, adding that Washington intends to continue increasing economic pressure on Tehran.
Broader Sanctions Strategy
According to the report, the latest designations form part of the Trump administration’s broader “maximum pressure” campaign aimed at increasing economic pressure on Iran alongside military and diplomatic measures.
US officials have also stated that more than 100 vessels linked to Iran’s so-called “shadow fleet” have been sanctioned since the beginning of 2026.
Iran has previously rejected US sanctions as unlawful and has consistently denied allegations that it uses commercial maritime activities to finance prohibited operations.
