The United States announced a fresh set of sanctions on Wednesday targeting 10 entities and eight additional tankers connected to Iran’s efforts to generate revenue through shipping operations in the Strait of Hormuz. Among the sanctioned entities, six are based in China, highlighting the international scope of the enforcement.
This move follows President Donald Trump’s commitment to intensify pressure on Iran after reports emerged that US forces intercepted multiple ballistic missiles launched by Tehran toward American troops in the Middle East. Meanwhile, the US and Saudi Arabia conducted joint strikes against Iran-backed groups in Iraq on the same day.
The Treasury Department’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) designated two firms—Persian Gulf Marine Insurance Co and HormuzSafe Marine Services Authority—accusing them of facilitating an Iranian scheme to collect digital assets and other income from vessels transiting the Strait of Hormuz through insurance arrangements.
Secretary of the Treasury Scott Bessent emphasized the regime’s desperation for cash amid a collapsing economy and triple-digit inflation. He stated, “The United States will not allow Iran to hold global commerce hostage or use international shipping to finance the IRGC’s terrorism, aggression, and repression,” referring to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps.
These sanctions form part of a broader strategy by the Trump administration to combine economic measures with military actions to escalate pressure on Iran. This approach aims to end a protracted conflict that has negatively impacted the president’s approval ratings.
Jess Hoversen, a former OFAC official and current chief economist at Column, noted that the administration is synchronizing economic sanctions with military strikes. She observed that OFAC has rapidly targeted maritime logistics, currency exchange networks, and procurement channels while the US military has increased its operations.
Hoversen added, “Treasury is moving at an operational tempo, and combining military strikes with targeted sanctions could be a template for future conflicts.” Since early 2026, OFAC has sanctioned over 100 vessels linked to Iran’s shadow fleet, which has been instrumental in maintaining oil revenue flows despite international sanctions.
