The United States announced on Apr. 15 a new set of sanctions aimed at limiting Iran’s ability to generate revenue, focusing on oil smuggling operations and financial networks supporting terrorist organizations.
Officials said the latest measures target elements of Mohammad Hossein Shamkhani’s oil smuggling network, which has been designated by the U.S., as well as a separate oil-for-gold operation that finances Hizballah and the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps-Qods Force (IRGC-QF), both also designated by the United States.
According to the statement, these actions are intended to prevent Iran from using its resources to support activities that threaten U.S. interests and regional stability. The statement says, "The Iranian regime continues to enrich corrupt elites like the Shamkhani family while ordinary Iranians suffer under a deteriorating economy." It adds that wealth is being funneled "to Hizballah and other terrorists in the Middle East."
The announcement describes complex schemes involving illicit Iranian oil sales and gold transactions used for terrorist financing. Officials say they will continue efforts to disrupt these networks: "We will continue to expose and disrupt these networks." Since National Security Presidential Memorandum 2 was issued under President Trump, more than 1,000 persons, vessels, and aircraft have been sanctioned in connection with Iranian activity.
Today’s action follows previous rounds of sanctions designed to apply maximum pressure on Iran’s government and its regional proxies since National Security Presidential Memorandum 2 was issued. The Treasury Department has published further details about today’s designations in its press release.
These developments reflect ongoing U.S. policy aimed at restricting Iran's access to resources believed to be used for malign activities across the region.
