Trump hits Iran with more oil sanctions under ‘maximum pressure’ policy

The White House announced new sanctions against Iran’s oil network on Thursday, piling more pressure on Tehran’s economy as President Trump pushes forward with his maximum pressure policy.

The penalties, confirmed by the Treasury and State departments, target dozens of companies and tankers accused of secretly helping Iran sell billions in oil under fake identities.

According to Bloomberg, the Treasury Department sanctioned a group of businesses that allegedly moved large volumes of crude by disguising Iranian oil as Iraqi. These shipments were sold to buyers in the West using falsified paperwork.

One of the names listed is Salim Ahmed Said, a dual Iraqi-British national. Said owns several firms accused of coordinating the transport and sale of Iran’s oil while hiding its true source. The Treasury said some of the proceeds went to Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps-Qods Force, a group the US has labeled a terrorist organization.

Treasury cracks down as Trump signals future relief

The State Department added six companies to its list, including four tankers involved in loading Iranian oil and hiding its origin. Officials say these vessels switched off their tracking systems, took cargo at sea, and masked documents to sneak past restrictions.

Scott Bessent, who now heads the Treasury, said, “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.”

Despite the crackdowns, Iran’s oil still flows. Their output hasn’t dropped, and China remains a major buyer. While Trump hasn’t lifted the sanctions, he hinted at the possibility. After the recent US airstrikes on Iran’s nuclear facilities, attacks he claimed had “totally obliterated” the program, he said China could keep buying oil and left the door open for broader relief “if they can be peaceful.” #Write2Earn