The US on Monday issued sanctions against 12 individuals and entities that it said facilitated the sale and shipment of Iranian oil to China, days ahead of US President Donald Trump’s visit to Beijing.
In a statement, the US Treasury Department said Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) relies on front companies in permissive jurisdictions to conceal its role in oil exports and channel revenue to the government, according to AFP.
The measures target three individuals in Iran and nine companies based in Hong Kong and the United Arab Emirates.
Under the sanctions, any assets held in the US by those designated will be frozen, while US citizens and firms are barred from conducting transactions with them.
“As Iran’s military desperately tries to regroup, Economic Fury will continue to deprive the regime of funding for its weapons programs, terrorist proxies, and nuclear ambitions,” US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said, referring to Washington’s broader economic campaign.
The sanctions come as part of a wider effort to tighten financial pressure on Iran, complementing ongoing military and diplomatic actions.
The conflict has also disrupted global energy markets, particularly after Tehran effectively blocked access to the Strait of Hormuz, a key shipping route through which much of oil and gas supplies typically pass.
Washington had temporarily eased some sanctions on Iranian oil earlier this year to address supply shortages, but has since reversed course, imposing stricter controls.
Following this, US President Donald Trump is expected to travel to Beijing later this week for talks with Chinese President Xi Jinping, where trade disputes will dominate discussions – though the war with Iran and energy supply issues are also likely to feature prominently.
Earlier, the US State Department and Treasury Department sanctioned several China‑linked firms, including satellite companies accused of supporting Iran’s military operations and broader supply networks.
The latest measures signal Washington’s continued effort to pressure Iran indirectly by targeting its international partners and financial channels.