The United States on Wednesday imposed sanctions on more than 30 individuals, companies and vessels linked to Iran, escalating economic pressure a day before a third round of talks between Washington and Tehran in Geneva.
The Treasury Department said the measures target networks involved in Iranian oil exports as well as procurement channels supporting the country’s ballistic missile and advanced conventional weapons programs.
“Iran exploits financial systems to sell illicit oil, launder the proceeds, procure components for its nuclear and conventional weapons programs, and support its terrorist proxies,” Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said.
“Under President Trump’s strong leadership, Treasury will continue to put maximum pressure on Iran to target the regime’s weapons capabilities and support for terrorism, which it has prioritized over the lives of the Iranian people.”
A significant portion of the designations focused on vessels operating in Iran’s so-called “shadow fleet,” which US officials say transports sanctioned petroleum to foreign markets.
Among them was the Panama-flagged HOOT, accused of shipping Iranian liquefied petroleum gas to Bangladesh in 2025, and the Barbados-flagged OCEAN KOI, which Treasury said has carried millions of barrels of Iranian fuel oil and condensate over the past year.
Treasury also designated individuals tied to Iran’s drone and missile infrastructure.
Mohammad Abedini and Mehdi Zand, employees of Qods Aviation Industries, were sanctioned for allegedly providing technical support in Russia for Iranian-designed Mohajer-series unmanned aerial vehicles.
Two other Qods Aviation employees—Mehrdad Jafari and Ebrahim Shariatzadeh—were cited for supporting UAV activities abroad, including in Venezuela.
In addition, companies in Türkiye and the United Arab Emirates were targeted for allegedly facilitating payments and procurement of sensitive machinery and missile precursor chemicals for entities linked to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps’ aerospace arm.
The sanctions were imposed under multiple executive orders related to Iran’s energy sector and weapons proliferation, and form part of what the administration describes as a continuing campaign of maximum pressure.
The action comes as negotiators prepare to meet in Geneva on Thursday for what officials on both sides have described as a potentially pivotal round of discussions, amid reports that Washington has set informal timelines for progress.
