US sanctions groups and ships helping Iran sell oil

Post by : Monika

Photo: Reuters

On August 21, 2025, the United States government announced tough new sanctions against companies, ships, and individuals accused of helping Iran sell oil. These actions are part of Washington’s continuing effort to block Iran from using its oil trade to earn money that could support its military programs and armed groups across the Middle East.

The U.S. says Iran’s oil sales are not allowed under American rules, and anyone helping Iran avoid these rules will face serious consequences.

What Happened?

The U.S. Treasury Department revealed that 13 companies and 8 oil tankers were being targeted. These companies and vessels are based in several countries, including Hong Kong, mainland China, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), and the Marshall Islands.

Among those sanctioned was Antonios Margaritis, a businessman from Greece. According to U.S. officials, he and his group of companies have been working with Iran for years, helping ship Iranian oil around the world. By creating a large network of ships and shell companies, Margaritis allegedly allowed Iran to bypass restrictions and keep selling oil in secret.

The U.S. also named some of the companies under sanctions, such as Ares Shipping Limited, Comford Management, and Hong Kong Hangshun Shipping Limited. The oil tankers listed include the Adeline G, Kongm, and Lafit. All these ships and companies are now blacklisted, meaning they cannot do business with U.S. banks, and their assets connected to the United States will be frozen.

In addition, the U.S. State Department announced penalties against two Chinese companies accused of managing oil storage and shipping terminals that moved Iranian oil. By targeting these companies, the U.S. is trying to cut off every pathway Iran could use to sell its crude oil internationally.

Why Did the U.S. Take These Steps?

According to American officials, these sanctions are meant to stop Iran from making large profits through its oil trade. Washington believes Iran uses this money to develop advanced weapons, including long-range missiles and potentially nuclear technology.

The U.S. also accuses Iran of sending funds to armed groups that threaten American troops and allies in the Middle East, such as Hezbollah in Lebanon and the Houthis in Yemen.

A senior U.S. official explained that every dollar Iran earns from oil could be used for weapons, which is why cutting off this revenue is a key priority. The official said that these sanctions send a clear message: any person or company that helps Iran move its oil will face punishment, no matter where they are located.

Timing of the Announcement

This move by Washington comes at a sensitive time. Nuclear discussions between the United States and Iran have been stalled for months. In June, there were strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities, which further worsened tensions. Since then, Iran has said it is not ready for serious negotiations with Washington or world powers.

By announcing these new sanctions, the U.S. is showing that it is not waiting for talks to resume. Instead, it is increasing pressure on Iran through financial and economic means.

What Are Sanctions?

• To understand this better, it’s important to know what sanctions are.
• Sanctions are official punishments used by governments to pressure another country or group without using military force. They can include:
• Freezing bank accounts or money owned by people or companies.
• Blocking ships from entering international ports.
• Stopping businesses from buying or selling goods.
• Cutting off access to international financial systems.

In this case, the U.S. sanctions mean that the companies, ships, and people named cannot use U.S. banks or make deals with American businesses. Many other countries and banks also avoid doing business with sanctioned groups, so the punishment goes far beyond just the United States.

Iran’s Oil Trade

Oil is Iran’s main source of income. Despite heavy U.S. restrictions, Iran has managed to sell millions of barrels of oil, often through secret routes or with the help of foreign companies willing to take risks.

Most of Iran’s oil is sold to countries in Asia, especially China. Tankers carrying Iranian oil often use tricks to avoid being tracked, such as turning off their location signals, transferring oil between ships at sea, or using false paperwork that hides the oil’s origin.

The U.S. has been trying to crack down on these methods by tracking ships, monitoring global trade records, and punishing companies that get caught. The latest sanctions are part of that wider effort.

How These Sanctions Work

By sanctioning companies and ships, the U.S. is making it much harder for Iran to find buyers for its oil. Any buyer risks being punished themselves if they deal with a sanctioned company or ship.

For example, if a company in another country tried to use the tanker Adeline G to transport Iranian oil, that company could also face U.S. penalties. Banks that process payments for these transactions could be cut off from the U.S. financial system, which is something most banks cannot afford.

This fear of punishment makes many businesses and governments avoid doing deals with Iran. Even if Iran can still sell some oil, the process becomes more complicated, more expensive, and much less profitable.

Wider Impact

These sanctions are part of a larger battle between the United States and Iran that has been going on for decades. The two countries have not had formal diplomatic relations since 1979, when Iran’s Islamic Revolution took place and American diplomats were taken hostage in Tehran.

Since then, tensions have flared up many times, especially over Iran’s nuclear program. The U.S. and its allies worry that Iran wants to build nuclear weapons, while Iran insists its nuclear program is only for energy.

Oil has always been central to this struggle. By cutting Iran’s oil income, the U.S. hopes to weaken Tehran’s government and push it to accept limits on its nuclear program and regional activities.

Iran’s Response

Although Iran has not yet given a detailed public reaction to the August 21 sanctions, in the past it has called U.S. actions “illegal” and accused Washington of trying to strangle its economy. Iranian leaders argue that they have the right to sell oil, just like any other country, and that sanctions unfairly target ordinary Iranians by damaging the economy.

Despite sanctions, Iran has shown skill in finding ways to keep selling oil. Networks of traders, shipping companies, and front companies are often used to disguise the oil’s true origin. This cat-and-mouse game between Iran and the U.S. is likely to continue.

The Bigger Picture

The announcement of new sanctions also shows that the U.S. is trying to send a warning to other countries. By punishing companies from China, Hong Kong, and the UAE, Washington is saying that no one is beyond its reach. This could put pressure on foreign governments to do more to stop their companies from working with Iran.

At the same time, these moves could also increase tensions between the U.S. and other major powers, especially China, which is Iran’s biggest oil customer. Beijing has often criticized U.S. sanctions, saying they are unfair and harm global trade.

The United States’ new sanctions against companies, ships, and individuals linked to Iran’s oil trade mark another step in a long-running struggle. Washington hopes that by cutting off Iran’s ability to sell oil freely, it can limit Tehran’s military and nuclear ambitions and pressure it into future negotiations.

For now, the sanctions add more strain to an already tense situation. Iran continues to look for ways to sell its oil, while the U.S. continues to track and punish those who help it. The coming months will show whether these measures succeed in slowing down Iran’s oil trade or whether Tehran will find new ways to bypass the restrictions.

United States sanctions