The United States has unleashed a new wave of sanctions aimed squarely at disrupting Iran’s oil exports. A prominent refinery in China and a network of ghost ships have been designated, cutting off vital revenue for the Islamic Republic. At the epicenter is Hengli Petrochemical in Dalian, a key purchaser of sanctioned Iranian energy products.
In a statement, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent highlighted how these penalties are strangling Iran’s finances, deterring its Middle East belligerence, and thwarting nuclear aspirations. The Office of Foreign Assets Control pinpointed Hengli for its massive imports from Iran, underscoring the refinery’s role in sustaining Tehran’s economy.
Expanding the dragnet, sanctions hit nearly 40 entities in Iran’s clandestine shipping armada. These operators shuttle petroleum globally, often switching flags and locations to dodge detection. President Trump’s administration vows continued action against all complicit parties.
Teapot refineries in China dominate Iranian crude purchases, with Hengli ranking high after procuring billions worth. Links to Sepahar Energy, connected to Iran’s General Staff, have funneled substantial funds to the regime’s forces through restricted shipments.
Further measures blacklist 19 ships implicated in deliveries to multiple nations. Employing tactics like offshore transshipments, they obscure Iranian origins while supplying markets in Asia and beyond.
Rooted in Executive Order 13902, this campaign has sanctioned more than 1,000 Iran-related targets since early 2025. Sanctioned parties face asset freezes in the US, transaction prohibitions for Americans, and potential fallout for international partners.
Officials cautioned that violations invite civil or criminal probes, with financial institutions vulnerable to secondary sanctions. This multifaceted pressure aims to dismantle Iran’s oil trade apparatus once and for all.
