The United States has imposed fresh sanctions on 12 individuals and entities accused of helping facilitate Iranian oil exports to China, as Washington increases pressure on Tehran amid ongoing regional tensions.
The measures, announced by the US Treasury Department on Monday, target individuals based in Iran as well as companies operating in the United Arab Emirates and Hong Kong.
According to the Treasury Department, the network allegedly helped conceal the involvement of Iran’s Revolutionary Guard in oil sales and the movement of related revenues.
Under the sanctions, any assets held in the United States by the designated individuals or companies will be frozen, while American citizens and businesses will be barred from conducting transactions with them.
Washington has repeatedly tightened economic restrictions on Tehran in an effort to limit funding linked to Iran’s military and regional activities. The latest measures come days before US President Donald Trump is expected to visit China for talks with Chinese President Xi Jinping.
US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said the sanctions campaign would continue alongside broader pressure on Tehran, including efforts aimed at restricting funding for weapons and nuclear programmes.
The developments come amid continued instability in global energy markets. Concerns over shipping routes in the Strait of Hormuz, a key passage for global oil and gas supplies, have raised fears of further disruptions affecting Gulf exporters and international trade flows.
China remains one of Iran’s largest trading partners and a major buyer of Iranian crude, despite US restrictions on Tehran’s energy sector.
In a separate move last week, the US State Department imposed sanctions on three China-based satellite communications firms accused of supporting Iranian military operations. Previous measures have also targeted companies in mainland China and Hong Kong over allegations linked to arms supply networks.
