US Imposes Sanctions On 12 Iran-Linked Entities Over China Oil Trade
US targeted networks accused of facilitating Iranian oil shipments to China.
The United States on Monday imposed fresh sanctions on 12 individuals and entities accused of facilitating Iranian oil sales to China, intensifying economic pressure on Iran ahead of US President Donald Trump’s upcoming visit to Beijing. The measures target networks allegedly linked to Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), which Washington accuses of using overseas front companies to continue oil exports despite international restrictions.
In a statement, the United States Department of the Treasury said the IRGC relies on companies operating in “permissive economic jurisdictions” to conceal its involvement in oil trading and channel revenues back to the Iranian government. The sanctions cover three Iran-based individuals and nine companies located in Hong Kong and the United Arab Emirates. The move blocks any US-based assets linked to those sanctioned and prohibits American individuals and businesses from conducting transactions with them.
US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said the economic measures were intended to weaken Tehran’s financial ability to support its weapons programmes, regional proxy groups and nuclear activities. Washington has significantly expanded sanctions against Iran and the IRGC as part of its broader confrontation with Tehran, combining economic restrictions with military pressure in the region.
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The sanctions come amid heightened tensions in the Middle East and continuing disruption to global energy markets. Iran’s actions around the Strait of Hormuz — a key global shipping route for oil and gas — have raised fears of prolonged supply disruptions and volatility in crude prices. Although the United States had temporarily eased some sanctions on Iranian oil exports earlier this year to address global supply concerns, it has since resumed stricter enforcement measures.
China remains one of Iran’s largest trading partners and a major buyer of Iranian crude oil, making the issue particularly sensitive ahead of Trump’s expected talks with Chinese President Xi Jinping later this week. The conflict involving Iran and regional security concerns are expected to feature prominently during the discussions alongside ongoing trade disputes between Washington and Beijing.
The US has also recently targeted Chinese firms accused of supporting Iran’s military and weapons operations. Last week, the United States Department of State sanctioned three China-based satellite companies allegedly linked to Iranian military activities, while the Treasury Department earlier imposed restrictions on several mainland Chinese and Hong Kong firms accused of assisting Iran’s weapons supply network.
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