US Strengthens Countermeasures Against Tehran, Threatens Secondary Sanctions on Iran Oil Buyers
In response to Iran's blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, the US has announced tighter sanctions on Iran's oil infrastructure and threatened secondary sanctions against buyers of Iranian oil, notably targeting Chinese entities.
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- 📰 Published: April 16, 2026 at 10:25
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(Central News Agency, Washington, 15th, General Foreign Dispatch) The United States announced today that in light of Iran's continued blockade of the Strait of Hormuz during the Middle East war, it will tighten sanctions on Iran's oil industry and threaten secondary sanctions on buyers of Iranian oil.
According to AFP, the US Treasury Department stated that the new penalties target oil transportation infrastructure, sanctioning more than 20 individuals, companies, and vessels within the network of oil transport magnate Mohammad Hossein Shamkhani.
US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent stated in a release, "Through Operation 'Economic Fury', the Treasury Department is actively cracking down on regime elites, such as the Shamkhani family, who seek to profit at the expense of the Iranian people." This refers to the financial pressure campaign launched by the US against Iran.
Mohammad Hossein Shamkhani is the son of security official Ali Shamkhani. Ali Shamkhani was an advisor to Iran's Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei. Both were killed on February 28, the first day of the US-Israeli attack, marking the beginning of the Middle East war.
The US State Department said in a separate communique: "As Iran attempts to hold the Strait of Hormuz hostage, the United States is taking decisive action to restrict Iran's ability to generate revenue."
According to Reuters, the US today threatened to impose sanctions on buyers of Iranian oil, stating that Washington expects China to suspend such purchases given the US maritime blockade on Iran.
Bessent told reporters at the White House: "We have informed countries that if you are buying Iranian oil, and if Iranian funds are in your banks, we are now willing to impose secondary sanctions."
As the war involving Iran enters its 7th week, the US launched a maritime blockade on Iran on the 13th. Prior to this, China purchased more than 80% of Iran's seaborne oil.
He added that the US Treasury Department had also sent letters to two Chinese banks, "informing them that if we can prove Iranian funds are flowing through your accounts, then we are willing to impose secondary sanctions."
The Chinese Embassy in the US did not immediately respond to a request for comment on Bessent's remarks.
The Trump administration has long stated that it is exerting "maximum pressure" on Iran regarding its nuclear program and Tehran's support for militants across the Middle East, yet sanctioned oil has continued to flow to China.
Bessent also told reporters today that he has been holding talks with counterparts in Middle Eastern countries regarding the Iranian oil crisis, and expects US consumers to see gasoline prices drop to the $3 per gallon range this summer.
"I am optimistic that during the summer, we will soon see oil prices starting with a 3," he told reporters at a briefing.
According to AFP, the US Treasury Department stated that the new penalties target oil transportation infrastructure, sanctioning more than 20 individuals, companies, and vessels within the network of oil transport magnate Mohammad Hossein Shamkhani.
US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent stated in a release, "Through Operation 'Economic Fury', the Treasury Department is actively cracking down on regime elites, such as the Shamkhani family, who seek to profit at the expense of the Iranian people." This refers to the financial pressure campaign launched by the US against Iran.
Mohammad Hossein Shamkhani is the son of security official Ali Shamkhani. Ali Shamkhani was an advisor to Iran's Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei. Both were killed on February 28, the first day of the US-Israeli attack, marking the beginning of the Middle East war.
The US State Department said in a separate communique: "As Iran attempts to hold the Strait of Hormuz hostage, the United States is taking decisive action to restrict Iran's ability to generate revenue."
According to Reuters, the US today threatened to impose sanctions on buyers of Iranian oil, stating that Washington expects China to suspend such purchases given the US maritime blockade on Iran.
Bessent told reporters at the White House: "We have informed countries that if you are buying Iranian oil, and if Iranian funds are in your banks, we are now willing to impose secondary sanctions."
As the war involving Iran enters its 7th week, the US launched a maritime blockade on Iran on the 13th. Prior to this, China purchased more than 80% of Iran's seaborne oil.
He added that the US Treasury Department had also sent letters to two Chinese banks, "informing them that if we can prove Iranian funds are flowing through your accounts, then we are willing to impose secondary sanctions."
The Chinese Embassy in the US did not immediately respond to a request for comment on Bessent's remarks.
The Trump administration has long stated that it is exerting "maximum pressure" on Iran regarding its nuclear program and Tehran's support for militants across the Middle East, yet sanctioned oil has continued to flow to China.
Bessent also told reporters today that he has been holding talks with counterparts in Middle Eastern countries regarding the Iranian oil crisis, and expects US consumers to see gasoline prices drop to the $3 per gallon range this summer.
"I am optimistic that during the summer, we will soon see oil prices starting with a 3," he told reporters at a briefing.