The United States has taken action to stem the flow of revenue that the Iranian regime uses to support destabilizing activities, including funding terrorist and proxy groups, as well as oppressing its own people. The Department of State has designated several companies and shadow fleet vessels engaged in the sale and transport of Iranian petroleum, petroleum products, and petrochemical products.
According to a fact sheet released on July 3, 2025, the designation of these entities is part of an effort to implement National Security Presidential Memorandum-2, which directs the imposition of maximum economic pressure on the Iranian regime. This move is aimed at disrupting Iran's shadowy trade networks and preventing the regime from using its energy exports to fuel conflict and instability in the Middle East.
The list of designated entities includes:
KAVEH METHANOL COMPANY (AKA KAVEH PETROCHEMICAL COMPANY), which owns and operates a methanol refinery and terminal in Iran. The company has knowingly engaged in significant transactions for the sale of petrochemical products from Iran, including loading methanol onto a tanker in October 2022.
ARIA SINA CONTROL INTERNATIONAL TECHNICAL INSPECTION CO. (ASCO INTERNATIONAL), which serves as a cargo surveyor company that operates in all of Iran's northern and southern ports. ASCO INTERNATIONAL has knowingly engaged in significant transactions for the transportation of petrochemical products from Iran, including serving as the surveyor for the loading of Iranian methanol onto a vessel in October 2022.
ASIAN SEA ANGEL SHIPPING CO., which has knowingly engaged in significant transactions for the transportation of petrochemical products from Iran. The company has facilitated the loading of Iranian petrochemical products on multiple occasions and has supported U.S.-designated TRILIANCE PETROCHEMICAL CO., LTD.
In addition to these designations, the Department of State is also targeting Iran's shadow fleet, which includes vessel management companies and their tankers that knowingly engage in the transport of petroleum and petroleum products from Iran. These entities have collectively transported millions of barrels of Iranian crude oil and petroleum products, often using "dark activity" such as disabling their automatic identification system (AIS) location and identity beacon to obscure the Iranian origin of their cargoes.
The U.S. government's actions are part of a broader effort to impose maximum economic pressure on Iran and bring about a positive change in behavior. The ultimate goal of sanctions is not to punish, but to encourage Iran to alter its policies and behaviors that are detrimental to regional stability and security.
As a result of today's action, all property and interests in property of the designated persons described above that are in the United States or in possession or control of U.S. persons are blocked and must be reported to the Department of Treasury's Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC). Additionally, all entities owned, either directly or indirectly, 50 percent or more by one or more blocked persons are also blocked.
Petitions for removal from the Specially Designated Nationals and Blocked Persons (SDN) List may be sent to: OFAC.Reconsideration@treasury.gov.