Image: ln24SA
The United States has announced sweeping new sanctions against 22 companies based in Hong Kong, the United Arab Emirates, and Turkey, accusing them of helping Iran evade oil trade restrictions and fund its military programs.
The sanctions, unveiled by the U.S. Treasury Department on Wednesday, target a complex international network allegedly used to funnel revenue to Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) Quds Force a unit linked to Tehran’s foreign operations.
“This action aims to disrupt critical financial channels that fuel Iran’s destabilizing regional activities,” the Treasury said in a statement. Officials accuse the companies of using front entities and concealed transactions to circumvent existing U.S. sanctions on Iranian oil exports.
Largest Enforcement Action Under Trump Administration
The move marks one of the Trump administration’s most extensive enforcement campaigns against Iran’s energy sector, signaling renewed efforts to apply “maximum pressure” on Tehran.
President Donald Trump, speaking briefly at the White House, said the sanctions reflect a firm stance against “those who enable Iran’s aggression and nuclear ambitions.”
According to the Treasury, the targeted firms helped sell millions of barrels of Iranian oil through disguised shipping routes and false documentation. Funds from these transactions allegedly support not only Iran’s nuclear and missile programs, but also its regional proxies in Lebanon, Syria, and Yemen.
No Immediate Response from Sanctioned Companies
As of press time, none of the 22 sanctioned firms have issued public statements. The governments of Hong Kong, the UAE, and Turkey have also not officially responded to the announcement.
Analysts suggest the move could complicate diplomatic efforts already under strain due to the ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict and broader regional instability.
Get the latests of our Loveworld News from our Johannesburg Stations and News Station South Africa, LN24 International
