US Slaps Iran-related Sanctions on Oil Tankers, China ‘Teapot' Refinery

The Liberian-flagged tanker Ice Energy, chartered by the US government, takes Iranian oil from Iranian-flagged Lana (formerly Pegas) as part of a civil forfeiture action off the shore of Karystos, on the Island of Evia, Greece, May 26, 2022. REUTERS/Costas Baltas/File Photo
The Liberian-flagged tanker Ice Energy, chartered by the US government, takes Iranian oil from Iranian-flagged Lana (formerly Pegas) as part of a civil forfeiture action off the shore of Karystos, on the Island of Evia, Greece, May 26, 2022. REUTERS/Costas Baltas/File Photo
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US Slaps Iran-related Sanctions on Oil Tankers, China ‘Teapot' Refinery

The Liberian-flagged tanker Ice Energy, chartered by the US government, takes Iranian oil from Iranian-flagged Lana (formerly Pegas) as part of a civil forfeiture action off the shore of Karystos, on the Island of Evia, Greece, May 26, 2022. REUTERS/Costas Baltas/File Photo
The Liberian-flagged tanker Ice Energy, chartered by the US government, takes Iranian oil from Iranian-flagged Lana (formerly Pegas) as part of a civil forfeiture action off the shore of Karystos, on the Island of Evia, Greece, May 26, 2022. REUTERS/Costas Baltas/File Photo

The US on Thursday issued new Iran-related sanctions, targeting entities including for the first time a Chinese "teapot", or independent refinery, and vessels that supplied crude oil to such processing plants.
It was Washington's fourth round of sanctions on Iran's oil sales since President Donald Trump said in February he was re-imposing a "maximum pressure" campaign including efforts to drive down the country's exports to zero. Trump aims to stop Tehran from obtaining a nuclear weapon and funding militant groups.

The refinery Treasury targeted for sanctions is China-based Shandong Shouguang Luqing Petrochemical Co., Ltd.
"So-called 'teapot' refinery purchases of Iranian oil provide the primary economic lifeline for the Iranian regime, the world’s leading state sponsor of terror and the primary backer of the murderous Houthis in Yemen," US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said in a post on X.

State Department spokesperson Tammy Bruce said the refinery bought oil from vessels linked to Yemen's Iran-aligned Houthis, which the US designated this month as a Foreign Terrorist Organization, and the US-designated Iranian Ministry of Defense of Armed Forces Logistics.

Treasury also imposed sanctions on 12 entities, and identified eight vessels as blocked property it said were responsible for shipping millions of barrels of Iranian oil to China. These vessels are part of Iran’s “shadow fleet” of tankers that supply the private refineries.
It also placed Wang Xueqing, who it said is linked to the refinery, on the specially designated nationals, or SDN, list. Americans are prohibited from doing business with people placed on that list, and their US assets are blocked.
The vessels Treasury blocked included Panama-flagged Aurora Riley and the Catalina, and the Barbados-flagged Brava Lake.
The State Department said it was imposing sanctions on an oil terminal in China called Huaying Huizhou Daya Bay Petrochemical Terminal Storage, for buying and storing Iranian crude oil from a sanctioned vessel.



Washington-Tehran Nuclear Talks Postponed as Iran Reasserts Red Lines

Iranians walk past an anti-US mural in Tehran bearing the slogan “Death to America,” with skulls replacing the stars on the American flag (AFP)
Iranians walk past an anti-US mural in Tehran bearing the slogan “Death to America,” with skulls replacing the stars on the American flag (AFP)
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Washington-Tehran Nuclear Talks Postponed as Iran Reasserts Red Lines

Iranians walk past an anti-US mural in Tehran bearing the slogan “Death to America,” with skulls replacing the stars on the American flag (AFP)
Iranians walk past an anti-US mural in Tehran bearing the slogan “Death to America,” with skulls replacing the stars on the American flag (AFP)

As diplomatic activity intensified around Iran’s nuclear program, Tehran moved to reestablish firm “red lines” ahead of anticipated talks with the United States next week. On the same day, Russia encouraged both sides to pursue a “fair agreement,” while the European Union urged Iran to help de-escalate regional tensions.

Iranian officials adopted a tough tone, insisting that upcoming negotiations must remain strictly confined to the nuclear issue. Government spokesperson Fatemeh Mohajerani emphasized that Tehran is committed to diplomacy, but said the US must show genuine goodwill.

“Our red lines are clear. We are only discussing the nuclear file and will remain firm in our rightful stance,” she told reporters on Tuesday.

The talks were originally scheduled for the previous weekend but were postponed due to what Oman’s foreign minister described as “logistical reasons.” The next round—reportedly the fourth—is now expected to take place early next week in Muscat. While Iranian outlet Nournews reported that the talks would resume on Sunday, a source close to the Iranian negotiation team said dates were still under discussion.

Meanwhile, Russian President Vladimir Putin spoke with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, affirming Moscow’s support for a “fair agreement” grounded in international law. According to a Kremlin statement, Russia reiterated its willingness to assist the negotiation process.

Later that day, EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas said she had spoken with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, urging a de-escalation of regional tensions and reaffirming the EU’s commitment to diplomacy. She also raised concerns about Iran’s military support for Russia and the detention of EU citizens.

IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi echoed those concerns in a separate conversation with Kallas, underscoring the agency’s central role in monitoring nuclear compliance.

In Tehran, former MP Elias Naderan warned against surrendering Iran’s nuclear capabilities, cautioning that Western powers might treat Iran like Libya if it concedes too much. “Sanctions only strengthen resistance,” he said, urging cooperation without compromising national principles.