As an escalation of previous efforts by US President Donald Trump to isolate Tehran economically, today the nation has also slapped sanctions on Iranian military officials and some groups related to their cyber operations, as well as those that transport the country’s oil.
The moves have been made under ‘operation economic outcast’ – a government wide initiative aimed at cutting off Iran’s financial lifelines, while pressuring countries and businesses that continue to interact with the Islamic Republic.
“Today, the United States took sweeping actions against multiple entities, individuals, and vessels that enable the Iranian regime’s destabilising activities,” says a spokesperson from the State Department, Tommy Pigott.
These targets included officials accused of procuring weapons and directing attacks on US forces and regional partners, as well as Iran-based groups that have collected intelligence to be used in their military operations. Also hit was a regime-directed cyber group accused of carrying out intrusions into US critical infrastructure.
On Wednesday, another network consisting of shippers and brokers who carry Iranian petroleum and petrochemicals through international waters – via the United Arab Emirates, China, Singapore and Europe – was sanctioned by the US, according to official reports. These sanctions were said to enable officials to aid the financing of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Qods Force (IRGCQ), among other Iranian government entities.
“Today’s action marks our most significant economic onslaught yet against the Iranian regime,” Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said in a statement at the time of the announcement. “It isolates Tehran from global commerce and ensures they pay a price for supporting terrorism around the world.” Officials noted that Iran had previously threatened to take retaliatory actions should additional economic measures continue to be applied.
