The U.S. Treasury Department has intensified its efforts to counter Iran’s shadow fleet, which is used to transport Iranian oil through tricky shipping maneuvers. Today, they announced new sanctions against 29 vessels and their management companies, which have moved millions of dollars’ worth of Iranian petroleum products.
Hatem Elsaid Farid Ibrahim Sakr, an Egyptian businessman linked to some of these ships, is also under scrutiny. His companies are implicated with seven of the sanctioned vessels and have been central in transporting Iranian oil.
“Treasury will keep pushing to limit the regime’s oil revenue,” said John K. Hurley, the Treasury Under Secretary. This move aligns with President Trump’s commitment to preventing Iran’s nuclear ambitions.
Since Trump’s administration began, more than 180 vessels involved in Iranian oil shipping have faced sanctions. This strategy aims to cut revenues and raise the costs Iran gets for each barrel sold, hitting the regime hard economically.
Recent statistics are concerning. According to reports, Iranian oil exports have plummeted by over 50% since the initiation of these sanctions, showcasing their impact.
Today’s sanctions target vessels used for crude oil and other petroleum products like fuel oil and naphtha. Notably, several ships from various management firms have facilitated Iranian petroleum shipments over recent years:
- The NEBULA DRIFT and TIDAL RHYTHM, flagged in Palau and Panama, have moved significant quantities of oil in 2025.
- The KASSIA, also Panama-flagged, has been active in transporting Iranian fuel oil.
The sanctions extend to companies directly supporting these activities. The firms listed are believed to have been orchestrating operations in Iran’s petrochemical sector, emphasizing their role in oil distribution.
Additionally, Sakr’s operations are tied to multiple companies involved in this network, demonstrating the intricate web facilitating Iranian oil trade. This highlights the ongoing challenges faced by regulatory bodies in monitoring and interrupting these activities.
As the U.S. ramps up its sanctions, the implications are clear. Any property or interests belonging to these sanctioned entities within the U.S. are now blocked. Violating these sanctions could lead to severe legal penalties, making compliance crucial for companies and individuals involved.
The ultimate goal of these sanctions is to shift Iran’s behavior rather than simply punish. The Treasury emphasizes that having the power to add and remove individuals from the sanctions list is essential for achieving this.
For further details on these designations, you can refer to the Treasury’s official updates.
