US hits Iran with new sanctions over oil trade crackdown
US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent (Photo: Getty Images)
The US has announced new sanctions against Iran’s military oil trade, despite the fact that Washington and Tehran have reached a preliminary agreement to extend the ceasefire, reports Reuters.
According to the statement, the US Treasury has imposed sanctions on eight vessels involved in transporting Iranian crude oil and petroleum products to world markets.
These vessels include the tanker Flora flying the flag of the Marshall Islands, the tanker Hauncayo flying the flag of the Comoros, and the tanker Ill Gap flying the flag of Panama.
"We will not allow the Iranian government to increase its oil revenue for the purpose of reconstituting its armed forces and military capabilities," said US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent.
Washington also imposed sanctions on more than 15 companies, including Worth Seen Energy Limited and Mehdiyev Trading in Hong Kong, as well as Symphony Shipping and Maritime Management in Dubai.
The US Treasury noted that some sanctioned Iranian organisations are using oil sales infrastructure belonging to the Iranian armed forces to purchase petroleum products outside of Iran.
In particular, Worth Seen is purchasing refined petroleum products for the Iranian National Oil Company on behalf of Sepehr Energy Japan, an oil sales unit of the General Staff of the Iranian Armed Forces, against which the US had already imposed sanctions.
Peace agreement between the US and Iran
It was reported on May 28 that the US and Iran had agreed on a draft memorandum of understanding to extend the ceasefire for 60 days, open the Strait of Hormuz, and allow time to finalise a comprehensive agreement, including Tehran’s nuclear issue.
However, the media noted that US President Donald Trump has not yet given final approval to the document. According to reports, he has taken a few days to think it over.
Meanwhile, in an interview with Fox News, Donald Trump stated that an unfavourable deal could be the line that forces the US to resume attacks on Iran.
