The U.S. Department of State has announced the designation of 17 entities, individuals, and vessels in an effort to limit revenue that the Iranian government uses to advance its nuclear program and support destabilizing activities in the Middle East. The action targets maritime service providers and shipping facilitators operating across multiple jurisdictions who have been involved in loading and transporting Iranian oil for sale.
According to the Department of State, "The Iranian regime continues to fuel conflict in the Middle East to fund its destabilizing activities. This behavior enables Iran to fund its nuclear escalations, support terrorist groups, and disrupt the flow of trade and freedom of navigation in waterways that are crucial to global prosperity and economic growth. The United States will continue to act against the network of maritime service providers, dark fleet operators, and petroleum products traders involved in the transport of Iranian crude oil and petroleum products."
Simultaneously, the Department of the Treasury is designating additional shipping networks implicated in illicit oil schemes that finance Iran’s government, as well as an airline and its affiliates supplying arms to groups backed by Iran. Further details on these actions can be found in Treasury’s Press Release.
All entities targeted by the Department of State are being designated under Executive Order (E.O.) 13846, which authorizes certain sanctions related to Iran.
The State Department highlighted continued efforts by Iran’s Ministry of Petroleum, National Iranian Oil Company (NIOC), and National Iranian Tanker Company (NITC) — all previously designated by the U.S. — to rely on third-country service providers for selling Iranian petroleum. Maritime firms such as pilotage companies and ship-to-ship transfer service providers are considered essential for moving Iranian crude oil abroad.
Among those named is STRASSELINK PTE. LTD., a Singapore-based company that provided pilotage services on 13 occasions from January 1 through August 1, 2025, for NITC tankers carrying Iranian crude through the Straits of Malacca. These shipments were subsequently transferred via ship-to-ship operations near Singapore. STRASSELINK's managing director FADZLON BIN AHMAD and senior operations manager MUHAMMAD DANIAL BIN FADZLON were also designated for their roles.
According to the release, "By providing these services, STRASSELINK, FADZLON and DANIAL enabled the transfer of over 20 million barrels of Iranian crude oil." The three are being designated under Section 3(a)(ii) of E.O. 13846 for knowingly engaging in significant transactions involving petroleum from Iran.
The Department stated it will continue targeting entities or individuals facilitating any part of Iran’s illicit petroleum supply chain.
Five vessel management companies were also designated for their involvement in transporting Iranian petroleum using deceptive practices that risk other ships’ safety and international trade flows. Companies named include ANBO SHIPPING PTE. LTD., ARKADIA MARITIME INCORPORATED, ERST GROUP LTD, SAO VIET PETROL TRANSPORTATION COMPANY LIMITED (previously sanctioned under E.O. 14024), and DEEP CURRENT SHIPPING L.L.C., each linked with specific vessels identified as property subject to blocking measures.
In addition, three trading companies were sanctioned for participating in transshipment or purchase/sale activities involving Iranian-origin petroleum products: TR6 PETRO INDIA LLP (which imported over $8 million worth between October 2024–June 2025), BONJOURE INTERNATIONAL FZCO (exported over $17 million between April–June 2025), and BONJOURE COMMODITY F.Z.E. (exported more than $66 million between January 2024–June 2025).
As a result of these actions under E.O. 13846, all property or interests belonging to those designated that fall within U.S. jurisdiction are blocked; U.S persons must report such holdings to Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC). Entities owned at least half by one or more blocked persons are also covered by these restrictions.
Transactions involving blocked persons’ property—unless specifically licensed or exempt—are prohibited within or transiting through the United States. This includes contributions or provision/receipt of funds or goods from any blocked person.
The State Department emphasized: "The power and integrity of U.S. government sanctions derive not only from the U.S. government’s ability to designate and add persons to the Specially Designated Nationals and Blocked Persons (SDN) List, but also from its willingness to remove persons from the SDN List consistent with the law. The ultimate goal of sanctions is not to punish, but to bring about a positive change in behavior."
Petitions seeking removal from OFAC's SDN list can be submitted following published procedures.
