US ramps up pressure on Iran with sweeping new sanctions

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WASHINGTON: US President Donald Trump has increased pressure on Iran by launching widespread new sanctions against more than 100 people, companies and ships associated with the country’s oil trade.

The US Department of Treasury has announced the latest sanctions, saying the move is aimed at eliminating funds that help the Iranian government, especially after recent strikes at its nuclear places.

Officials said it was one of the largest operations against Iran in the years. The restrictions were widely targeted by the shipping interests of Mohammad Hussain Shamkhani, who is the son of Ali Shamkhani, who is the adviser to the Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khaamini.

During President Donald Trump’s first administration, the US Treasury described it as the most important sanctions on Iran since 2018.

According to the US Department of Treasury, Shamkhani controls a vast network of containers and tankers through a complex net of bracelets that sell Iranian and Russian oil and other goods worldwide.

Treasury accused Shamkhani of producing tens of billions of dollars of profit using personal contacts and corruption in Tehran, most of which are used to promote the Iranian government.

Overall, new restrictions target 15 shipping firms, 52 ships, 12 people, and 53 companies involved in sanctions in 17 countries – from Panama to Italy to Hong Kong.

An American official said the sanctions would make Iran “much difficult” to sell its oil, though the administration did not expect a long -term obstacle to global oil markets.

Officials added that after Iran’s oil sector’s purpose, Iran’s oil exports have been about 1.2 million barrels a day, less than 1.8 million in the beginning of the year.

“We are still taking further action to further reduce the number,” the official said, “the official said that the sanctions during the first term of Trump have reduced Iranian oil exports to only a few million barrels daily.

According to the country’s Students News Network, a spokesman for the Iranian Foreign Ministry called sanctions “a clear example of US enmity with the Iranian nation.”

Spokeswoman Ismail Baghai added that the sanctions were “a bad move aimed at damaging Iran’s economic development and the welfare of its people.”

China is the largest buyer of Iranian oil.

Earlier in July, the European Union also approved Shamkhani on his involvement in the Russian oil trade.

An American official said that both Russia and Iran would have an impact on Wednesday, but emphasized that it focuses on Iran.

The official said, “From our point of view, where this person fits, in view of the former leader and his father’s former sanctions, and under Iran-affiliated officials, this is clearly Iran’s action-meaningful and effective,” the official said.

Ali Shamkhani, the father of Mohammad Hussein Shamkhani, was approved by the United States in 2020.

The latest period of sanctions has come when the US bombing of Iranian nuclear sites last month, new hopes for new diplomacy in the US have been rare.

Trump warned Monday that if Tehran tried to resume nuclear places, US attacks would begin.

He also said that Iran was sending “dirty indicators” and warned that any attempt to resume its nuclear program would be eliminated immediately.

The United States had held a five -round talks with Iran before the June airstrikes, which Trump claimed that Washington and its ally Israel’s debate aimed to make a nuclear bomb.

Some experts have questioned the damage limit. Iran has denied that it is looking for nuclear weapons.

A senior White House official said last week that Washington is open for direct talks with Iran. But European and Iranian diplomats say that Tehran is rarely likely to return to talks with the United States at any time.