US sanctions nearly two dozen firms for facilitating Iranian oil shipments

The US imposed sanctions on nearly two dozen firms involved in Iran's international oil trade, continuing the pressure on Tehran amid ongoing nuclear talks.

The new sanctions target entities that help inspect, ship, transfer and discharge oil to independent refineries in China, according to a statement from the US Treasury Department.

"Today's action underscores our continued focus on intensifying pressure on every aspect of Iran's oil trade, which the regime uses to fund its dangerous and destabilizing activities," Scott Bessent, US Treasury secretary, said in the May 13 statement.

"The United States will continue targeting this primary source of revenue, so long as the regime continues its support for terrorism and proliferation of deadly weapons," Bessent said.

Since US President Donald Trump took office, Treasury has sanctioned 253 individuals, entities and vessels related to Tehran and its proxies, the Treasury Department statement said.

The latest sanctions include companies linked to the previously sanctioned Sepehr Energy Jahan Nama Pars Company, the main commercial affiliate of Iran's Armed Forces General Staff, the Treasury statement said.

Sepehr Energy carries out oil shipments through a series of deals between multiple front companies that it owns or controls, creating the illusion of non-sanctionable trade between separate entities, the Treasury statement said.

The newly sanctioned entities include several Hong Kong-based front companies that broker and receive shipments of Iranian oil delivered to independent refineries in China, the Treasury statement said.

Treasury sanctioned Iranian national and Sepehr Energy official Mohammad Khorasani Niasari, who has helped to manage Iranian AFGS financial transactions involving Sepehr Energy funds.

Treasury also sanctioned two companies that carry out cargo inspections before oil is transferred to China, one company that helped vessels with their arrival and discharge at Qingdao Port, and a number of small agencies that acted as middlemen between Sepehr Energy and independent refineries.

In addition, Treasury sanctioned two tankers in the shadow fleet, as well as the tankers' operators and owners.

Nuclear talks

The sanctions come after US and Iranian officials held nuclear talks on May 11.

The talks so far have led to a framework under which Iran would accept restrictions on the level and capacity of its uranium enrichment program in exchange for US sanctions relief, Majid Takhtravanchi, deputy foreign minister and a member of the Iranian negotiation team, said May 13.

"Such measures on our side are not taken unilaterally. They will be taken rather as part of confidence-building actions that can be presented by Iran to say that our nuclear program is completely peaceful," Takhtravanchi told Tasnim news, a semi-official outlet close to the authorities.

"In return, there should be measures taken by the other side so that the sanctions are annulled," Takhtravanchi said.