The U.S. Treasury Department has imposed sanctions on over 30 individuals and companies accused of facilitating Iran’s missile and nuclear programmes through illicit financial channels.
According to a statement released Friday, the entities were part of a “shadow banking” network using front companies—primarily in Hong Kong and the United Arab Emirates—to evade sanctions and launder billions from oil and petrochemical sales. The funds were allegedly used to support Iran’s military-linked nuclear and missile projects.
The sanctions freeze any U.S.-based assets of the listed parties and prohibit American citizens from engaging in business with them. They are also expected to limit the sanctioned entities’ ability to conduct international transactions, especially those involving U.S. dollars.
Diplomatic Tensions Continue
The move comes amid ongoing negotiations between Washington and Tehran regarding the future of Iran’s nuclear programme. Former U.S. President Donald Trump reiterated that the U.S. aims to prevent Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons, warning that military options remain on the table if diplomacy fails.
Iran maintains that its nuclear efforts are strictly for civilian energy purposes.
