Key Takeaways:

• The US Treasury announced sanctions against a network accused of shipping Iranian oil to China.
• Over a dozen individuals and companies from China, India, and the UAE are targeted.
• Officials state that Iranian oil revenues are being leveraged to support nuclear and military programs.

In a significant move, the US Treasury imposed sanctions on Thursday aimed at a network reportedly involved in shipping millions of barrels of Iranian oil to China. The sanctions impact over a dozen individuals and firms based across China, India, and the United Arab Emirates.

The Treasury Department's Office of Foreign Assets Control specifically highlighted the involvement of the Iranian regime, stating that it is utilizing oil revenues to further its nuclear ambitions and military capabilities, including the production of ballistic missiles and drones. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent emphasized the need for a rigorous sanctions regime aimed at Iran and similar entities, noting that "the Iranian regime remains focused on leveraging its oil revenues to fund the development of its nuclear program."

Additionally, the US sanctions include specific ships, including the Panama-flagged CH Billion and the Hong Kong-flagged Star Forest, which were involved in the shipping of Iranian oil. The US Treasury's actions are part of President Trump's renewed commitment to implement his "maximum pressure" campaign against Tehran, echoing similar strategies deployed during his first term.

During an executive order signing, President Trump remarked, "We don’t want to be tough on Iran. We don’t want to be tough on anybody," highlighting the delicate balance between enforcement and diplomacy in US-Iran relations. He added, however, that "they just can’t have a nuclear bomb" and indicated a readiness to respond should negotiations not proceed effectively.

Reinforcing these measures, the Treasury's sanctions prevent the designated individuals and companies from accessing US assets and restrict their operations within the US banking system. The implications of these sanctions extend to influencers in Iran's oil sector, aiming to disrupt their funding sources for military and nuclear development.

This latest round of sanctions demonstrates the US government's commitment to tackling perceived threats from Iran as tensions surrounding its nuclear program continue to escalate. The comprehensive sanctions package illustrates the administration's approach to hold the Iranian regime accountable for its activities that threaten regional and global stability, as reaffirmed by State Department spokeswoman Tammy Bruce.

For more details, visit AP News.