The United States government announced new sanctions on Tuesday aimed at countering what it calls the “destabilizing activities” of Iran and its partners in Asia and the Middle East. The Treasury Department’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) identified a network of two Iranian facilitators plus several individuals and entities located in Hong Kong and in the United Arab Emirates. These groups are said to have helped Iran with oil sales. The revenue from those sales reportedly benefits Iran’s Ministry of Defense and Armed Forces Logistics and supports the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps.
According to the OFAC statement, the funds are then used to supply regional proxy groups and to improve weapons systems that threaten United States forces and its allies. This action is the fourth wave of sanctions aimed at Iran’s shadow banking system since President Donald Trump introduced National Security Presidential Memorandum 2 back in February. In addition, the Secretary of State is ending a sanctions exception that was granted in 2018 under the Iran Freedom and Counter-Proliferation Act. That exception applied to reconstruction assistance in Afghanistan and economic development. The revocation becomes effective on September 29, 2025, and from that date people who operate Chabahar Port or engage in certain activities covered by the law could face sanctions.
The United States reiterated its resolve to maintain strong pressure on Iran and to disrupt any illegal financial channels used to support what the US describes as “malign activities.” The government also said it will continue using all available tools to hold Iran responsible for funding attacks on the US and its allies and for backing terrorist groups around the world.
Emmanuel Onwuka