In a robust move to curb Iran’s destabilizing activities globally, the United States has today announced a new round of sanctions targeting entities linked to the Iranian oil trade, as well as those involved in supporting terrorism and human rights abuses. The U.S. Department of State and the Department of the Treasury have taken simultaneous action to block key Iranian assets, disrupt illicit oil shipments, and hold Iranian officials accountable for violations of fundamental human rights.
Sanctions on Iran’s Illicit Oil Trade and Proxies
The U.S. government has sanctioned four entities and identified six vessels as blocked property for their involvement in the transportation of Iranian oil. These actions are part of the ongoing U.S. effort to sever Iran’s access to the revenue it derives from oil exports, which the regime has long used to fund terrorist groups, destabilizing operations, and proxy warfare across the Middle East.
“The Iranian regime continues to divert its energy revenues toward fueling instability and supporting its proxies, including Hezbollah, Hamas, and the Houthis,” said U.S. Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken. “As long as Iran continues to use these funds to support terrorism and violence, we will use every tool at our disposal to hold the regime accountable.”
The sanctions target companies engaged in facilitating the transport of Iranian petroleum through deceptive practices, making it more difficult to trace the oil to its Iranian origins. In addition, the U.S. Department of the Treasury has imposed sanctions on four entities involved in the Iranian petrochemical sector, further isolating Tehran’s economic reach.
The U.S. will continue to coordinate with its allies and partners globally to reinforce these measures and to prevent Iran from circumventing sanctions, particularly as Tehran continues to support regional terror networks and destabilizing actors.
Supporting Terrorist Organizations
Alongside these measures, the U.S. Treasury has designated 12 individuals and entities linked to smuggling, money laundering, and the trafficking of Iranian petroleum. These networks are reported to support Ansarallah—the Houthis—a group that has been designated by the U.S. as a Specially Designated Global Terrorist (SDGT).
The Houthis have been a significant threat to peace and security in Yemen, where their insurgency has led to a prolonged conflict and a humanitarian crisis. Iranian backing has been crucial in enabling their military operations, including the transfer of advanced weaponry and military expertise. The U.S. government is determined to eliminate these financial lifelines that allow Iran to fund such groups and destabilize the region.
Human Rights Violations at Ghezel Hesar Prison
In a further step to target Iran’s human rights abuses, Secretary Blinken also announced that Ghezel Hesar Prison, located in Karaj, Iran, has been sanctioned for its role in the cruel and inhumane treatment of prisoners. This prison has been identified as a site where gross human rights violations have occurred, including the systematic torture and punishment of political prisoners.
The prisoners at Ghezel Hesar Prison, many of whom are detained for expressing dissent or protesting government policies, have been subjected to severe beatings and other forms of abuse. Notably, a recent hunger strike by political prisoners protesting the increasing number of executions carried out in the facility was met with violent suppression.
This action is the result of a determination by the U.S. Secretary of State that Ghezel Hesar Prison meets the criteria for designation under Section 106 of the Countering America’s Adversaries Through Sanctions Act (CAATSA). The designation also aligns with the U.S. government’s broader strategy to hold Iran accountable for its repression of free speech, peaceful protest, and other fundamental human rights.
Sanctions Implications
Today’s sanctions include the freezing of assets under U.S. jurisdiction belonging to the designated entities and individuals, and they block any transactions involving these assets by U.S. persons or within U.S. territories. U.S. businesses and citizens are prohibited from engaging in any trade or financial activities with the sanctioned entities or their assets unless authorized by the U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC).
The U.S. is committed to countering Iran’s support for terrorism, human rights abuses, and efforts to evade sanctions. These steps are part of a comprehensive strategy to isolate Iran economically, force accountability for its destabilizing actions, and ultimately encourage Tehran to engage in more responsible behavior in the region and on the global stage.
U.S. Government Commitment to Accountability
“We will continue to take action against Iran and its partners who use terror, violence, and human rights abuses to further their agendas,” Secretary Blinken concluded. “Today’s actions send a strong signal that the United States will not turn a blind eye to these atrocities, and we will work closely with our allies to ensure that Iran’s actions come with real consequences.”
The U.S. Department of State has reiterated its ongoing commitment to working with global partners to strengthen sanctions enforcement and ensure that Iran faces the consequences of its malign activities. These sanctions build on previous measures and are part of an international effort to hold Tehran accountable for its continued support of terrorism, human rights violations, and destabilizing actions across the globe.