The United States on Thursday announced new sanctions aimed at disrupting Iran’s oil trade, specifically targeting a smuggling network accused of disguising Iranian oil as Iraqi crude. The U.S. Treasury Department stated that the action is part of ongoing efforts to cut off revenue streams that support Tehran’s regional activities and its nuclear ambitions.
The sanctioned network is allegedly run by Salim Ahmed Said, an Iraqi-British businessman who, according to officials, has facilitated the sale and shipment of billions of dollars’ worth of Iranian oil since at least 2020. The operation reportedly masked the oil’s origin by blending it with Iraqi crude or falsely labeling it as Iraqi, enabling Iran to circumvent international restrictions.
In addition to the oil smuggling network, the U.S. also sanctioned a financial institution controlled by the Lebanese militant group Hezbollah, which Washington classifies as a terrorist organization.
“Treasury will continue to target Tehran’s revenue sources and intensify economic pressure to disrupt the regime’s access to the financial resources that fuel its destabilizing activities,” said Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent.
The move marks the latest in a series of sanctions aimed at curbing Iran’s oil exports, which have been under intense scrutiny due to the country’s nuclear program and its alleged support for militant groups across the Middle East. U.S. officials signaled that more actions may follow as part of a broader strategy to increase economic pressure on Iran.
