Washington imposes sanctions on more than 50 individuals, entities, and a ship linked to an Iranian "illegal" shipping network

The U.S. Department of the Treasury announced sanctions on more than 50 individuals, entities, and a vessel linked to an Iranian network engaged in illicit shipping and sanctions evasion.

In a statement, the Treasury said the Office of Foreign Assets Control is intensifying its efforts to disrupt and undermine the illicit shipping and sanctions evasion network operated by Mohammad Hossein Shamkhani, as part of its ongoing campaign to increase economic pressure on the Iranian regime following its resumption of destabilizing attacks in the Strait of Hormuz.

The Treasury noted that Shamkhani’s network remains a key driver behind Iranian oil exports and has expanded into global container shipping and commodity trade.

It added that the sanctions target “more than 50 individuals, entities, and vessels that enable Shamkhani and the Iranian regime to continue profiting.”

For his part, U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent stated that “the Iranian regime relies on deception, and Shamkhani’s network is one of its most profitable engines.”

He emphasized that his department is working to “weaken the financial infrastructure that allows the regime to continue threatening U.S. national security and global shipping.”