Washington, DC – The US Treasury Department announced on Friday a new round of sanctions targeting nine oil tankers and eight entities linked to what is known as Iran’s “shadow fleet,” as part of escalating pressure on Tehran following accusations of suppressing protests and the deaths of demonstrators in recent weeks.
In an official statement, the department said the targeted tankers, along with their owners or operators,
some of whom are based in India, Oman, and the UAE, transported hundreds of millions of dollars’ worth of Iranian oil and petroleum products to foreign markets.
They did this in an attempt to circumvent international sanctions imposed on Iran’s energy sector.
The money of the Iranian people
US Treasury Secretary Scott Bisnett emphasized that these sanctions target
“a key element of the mechanism the Iranian regime relies on to obtain funds
and use them to repress its people,” stressing that the US will continue to pursue
the funds that he said the regime “steals and tries to smuggle abroad.”
He added that Washington would intensify its efforts to track down maritime smuggling networks that enable Iran to export oil beyond the reach of international oversight.
This move comes amid escalating international criticism of Tehran’s handling of the recent wave of protests.
The most violent disturbances
Human rights organizations say thousands of people, including bystanders,
have been killed during the unrest, described as the most violent since the 1979 Iranian Revolution.
US President Donald Trump had repeatedly threatened harsh measures against Iran,
including military intervention, in response to the crackdown on protesters.
However, the protests have subsided over the past week.
This has prompted the US administration to soften its rhetoric somewhat,
while maintaining its economic and political pressure campaign.
Observers believe the new sanctions represent a clear message from Washington
that human rights have become a key component of its strategy toward Iran.
This is alongside the nuclear program and regional influence, in an attempt to compel Tehran to change its domestic and foreign policy.
