US Issues Fresh Iran-Related Sanctions Targeting State Oil Sector

US Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin. (Reuters)
US Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin. (Reuters)
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US Issues Fresh Iran-Related Sanctions Targeting State Oil Sector

US Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin. (Reuters)
US Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin. (Reuters)

The United States on Monday imposed fresh Iran-related sanctions targeting the country’s oil sector, including the Iranian Ministry of Petroleum, in Washington’s latest action to increase pressure on Tehran.

The US Treasury Department in a statement said it was slapping sanctions on key actors in Iran’s oil sector for supporting the Quds Force, the foreign paramilitary and espionage arm of the Revolutionary Guard Corps blacklisted by the United States.

“The regime in Iran uses the petroleum sector to fund the destabilizing activities of the IRGC-QF,” Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin said in the statement.

Tensions between Washington and Tehran have soared since Trump unilaterally withdrew in 2018 from the Iran nuclear deal struck by his predecessor President Barack Obama and began reimposing US sanctions that had been eased under the accord.

The minister of petroleum, the National Iranian Oil Company (NIOC) and National Iranian Tanker Company were also blacklisted alongside other individuals and entities in Washington’s move on Monday, which freezes any US assets of those blacklisted and generally bars Americans from dealing with them.

The Treasury also imposed sanctions on Mahmoud Madanipour and United Arab Emirates-based Mobin International Limited, accusing them of entering into an agreement with Venezuelan state-owned Petroleos de Venezuela (PDVSA) to ship gasoline obtained from NIOC to the government of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro.

The British-based companies of Madanipour, Mobin Holding Limited and Oman Fuel Trading Ltd were also blacklisted.

Mobin International and Oman Fuel have said they were the owners of the cargo aboard several tankers confiscated by US authorities in August.

The US Justice Department said the cargo was destined for Venezuela, whose oil industry is also under US sanctions, but the companies denied in court filings that Venezuela was the destination.

Iran has sent two other flotillas carrying fuel to gasoline-short Venezuela, and they entered the South American country without US interference.



IAEA Says No Increase in Radiation Off Iran Sites that the US Hit

International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) logo and Iranian flag is seen in this illustration taken June 16, 2025. REUTERS/Dado Ruvic/Illustration
International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) logo and Iranian flag is seen in this illustration taken June 16, 2025. REUTERS/Dado Ruvic/Illustration
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IAEA Says No Increase in Radiation Off Iran Sites that the US Hit

International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) logo and Iranian flag is seen in this illustration taken June 16, 2025. REUTERS/Dado Ruvic/Illustration
International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) logo and Iranian flag is seen in this illustration taken June 16, 2025. REUTERS/Dado Ruvic/Illustration

The International Atomic Energy Agency said Sunday that there has been “no increase in off-site radiation levels” after US airstrikes on Iranian nuclear sites.

The UN nuclear watchdog sent the message via the social platform X on Sunday.

“The IAEA can confirm that no increase in off-site radiation levels has been reported as of this time,” it said. The “IAEA will provide further assessments on situation in Iran as more information becomes available.”

The Atomic Energy Organization of Iran confirmed that attacks took place on its Fordo, Isfahan and Natanz sites, but it insisted that its work will not be stopped. Iran said there were no signs of radioactive contamination at the three locations and no danger to nearby residents.

The decision to directly involve the US in the war comes after more than a week of strikes by Israel on Iran that aimed to systematically eradicate the country’s air defenses and offensive missile capabilities, while damaging its nuclear enrichment facilities.