The United States imposed new sanctions on Thursday targeting Iran’s military-linked oil trade network, despite reports that Washington and Tehran have reached a tentative deal to extend their ceasefire and ease restrictions on shipping through the Strait of Hormuz.The US Treasury Department said it has sanctioned eight ships involved in delivering Iranian crude oil and petroleum products to global markets. According to Reuters report, these ships include Marshall Islands-flagged tanker Flora, Comoros-flagged crude carrier Hounkayo and Panama-flagged tanker Il Gap. US Treasury Secretary Scott Besant said the actions were aimed at stemming the revenue flow that Iran uses to finance its military and security apparatus.“We will not allow the Iranian government to increase its oil revenues for the purpose of restructuring its armed forces and military capabilities,” Besant said in a statement.According to Treasury, the sanctioned fleet is part of a broader network used to move crude and petrochemical products of Iranian origin through so-called ‘dark fleet’ shipping channels that often use deceptive practices, including turning off transponders during transit.The sanctions also apply to more than 15 entities in Hong Kong, Dubai, Singapore and other jurisdictions, including ship management firms accused of facilitating Iranian oil exports. Many of these companies are accused of helping transport millions of barrels of Iranian crude oil and petrochemical products through complex shipping arrangements.Responding to the sanctions, Tehran said they would not weaken the country and warned that attacks on US targets would continue unless the terms were accepted, according to state-media. The latest measures come amid rising geopolitical tensions over the Strait of Hormuz, a vital global energy chokepoint through which about a fifth of the world’s oil and liquefied natural gas passes.
US threatens Oman with sanctions over proposed Hormuz toll system
The US has also warned that Oman could impose sanctions if it supports or facilitates any efforts to introduce a toll system in the Strait of Hormuz, which would sharply escalate tensions over control of the strategic waterway.US officials said Washington would ‘aggressively target’ any actor directly or indirectly involved in imposing tariffs on commercial shipping passing through the strait. This warning also applies to any partner collaborating in such a system.US Treasury Secretary Scott Besant said the administration would not tolerate any interference with freedom of navigation in the area.“In particular, Oman should be aware that the US Treasury will aggressively target any actor directly or indirectly involved in facilitating tolls for the Strait and any willing participant will be punished. All countries should vehemently reject any attempts by Iran to disrupt the free flow of commerce. “Tehran’s days of terrorizing the region and the world are over,” he said in a social media post. The statement came after Trump threatened to bomb Oman, a key US ally known for its neutrality and mediation efforts in regional crises, including the war between the US and Iran.“Oman will behave like everyone else or we will have to blow them up,” he said.
