The United States on Wednesday announced a fresh round of sanctions against Iran, reinforcing what Washington describes as its maximum pressure campaign ahead of planned talks between officials of both countries in Geneva.
The new measures were unveiled by the US Treasury Department, which said the sanctions target more than 30 individuals, entities, and vessels allegedly involved in illicit Iranian petroleum sales and weapons related activities. According to the Treasury, the sanctions are aimed at disrupting revenue streams that support Iran’s nuclear and conventional weapons programs.
A major focus of the latest action is Iran’s so called shadow fleet. US officials said several vessels operating as part of this network transport Iranian crude oil and petroleum products to foreign markets, allowing Tehran to bypass international restrictions. By targeting these vessels, Washington hopes to cut off key sources of income for Iranian authorities.
US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent accused Iran of exploiting global financial systems to sell oil illegally, launder proceeds, procure sensitive components, and fund militant groups aligned with its interests. He said the administration of Donald Trump would continue to apply maximum pressure to weaken Iran’s weapons capabilities and its alleged support for terrorism.
Trump has repeatedly warned that military action remains an option if Iran refuses to reach an agreement on its nuclear program. In his State of the Union address on Tuesday, he accused Tehran of pursuing what he called sinister nuclear ambitions, remarks that followed a large scale US military deployment around the Gulf region.
Despite the heightened rhetoric and sanctions, Iran has signaled cautious optimism. Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said he remains hopeful about upcoming talks, suggesting that diplomacy remains possible even as tensions persist between the two longtime adversaries.
