Hours After Muscat Talks: Washington Imposes New Sanctions on Iranian Oil Exports

The United States announced a new package of sanctions on Iran on Friday evening, targeting 15 entities and 14 oil tankers linked to the export of oil and petrochemical products. According to Reuters, these measures come just hours after the conclusion of the first round of indirect talks between Tehran and Washington in Muscat.

The U.S. State Department stated that the sanctioned tankers are part of what it described as a "ghost fleet" used to circumvent sanctions and illegally transport Iranian oil. State Department spokesperson Tommy Pigott confirmed that these actions are part of the Trump administration's "maximum pressure" policy aimed at reducing Iranian oil exports.

For its part, the U.S. Treasury Department announced additional sanctions on two individuals linked to the Iranian oil trade, freezing their assets within the United States and prohibiting any financial dealings with them by U.S. individuals or companies.

According to the U.S. statement, the sanctions included companies operating in several countries, including Turkey, the UAE, China, India, and Hong Kong. Details were also released on 14 oil tankers said to have played a direct role in transporting Iranian oil.

Washington emphasized that the listing of these entities, individuals, and vessels on the sanctions lists means the freezing of any potential assets they hold within the United States and the imposition of a total ban on any cooperation with them by U.S. parties.