The United States declared new sanctions against businesses it accused of aiding Iran’s unauthorized oil trade.
On Thursday, the Trump administration introduced a fresh set of Iran-related sanctions, targeting 13 companies based in Hong Kong, China, the United Arab Emirates, and the Marshall Islands, along with eight vessels, according to a statement from the U.S. Treasury Department as reported by Firstpost.

The sanctions targeted Greek national Antonios Margaritis, along with his network of companies and vessels, for allegedly helping transport Iranian crude oil in violation of current U.S. restrictions.
Entities added to the blacklist include Ares Shipping Limited and Hong Kong Hangshun Shipping Limited, both based in Hong Kong, along with Comford Management, located in the Marshall Islands.

The U.S. Treasury also included several crude oil tankers in its sanctions list, including the Adeline G and Kongm, both flagged in Panama, and the Lafit, which sails under the flag of São Tomé and Príncipe.

Additionally, the Department imposed sanctions on two China-based operators of oil terminals and storage facilities, stating that they managed imports of Iranian oil transported by tankers that had already been subjected to U.S. sanctions.
This represents the fourth wave of measures targeting China-based terminal operators, highlighting Washington’s ongoing strategy to exert maximum economic pressure on Tehran, consistent with the objectives of National Security Presidential Memorandum-2.

“Under the leadership of President Trump, Treasury remains determined to hold accountable all those who seek to aid the Iranian regime and threaten global security,” Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said.
The sanctions are being enforced under Executive Order 13902 and are part of a wider initiative established under National Security Presidential Memorandum 2 (NSPM-2), which seeks to intensify economic pressure on the Iranian government.

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