US, UK sanctions target Iran-linked network accused of plotting attacks and moving funds
The United States and the United Kingdom on Monday announced seperate sanctions aimed at increasing pressure on Iran by targeting individuals, companies and networks accused of facilitating oil sales, financial transactions and “hostile activities”.The US measures focus on disrupting Iran’s oil exports to China and cutting off funding linked to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, while also tightening restrictions on front companies and intermediaries.The UK, meanwhile, targeted Iran-linked individuals and entities accused of shadow banking, financing destabilising activities and conducting operations linked to criminal and proxy networks, with both countries seeking to limit Tehran’s financial reach and international operational capacity.
US sanctions on Iran
The US imposed sanctions on 12 individuals and entities it said were involved in facilitating the sale and shipment of Iranian oil to China, just days ahead of US President Donald Trump’s visit to Beijing.In a statement, the US Treasury said Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) “relies on front companies in permissive economic jurisdictions to obfuscate its role in oil sales and funnel the revenue to the Iranian regime.”The measures cover three Iran-based individuals and nine companies based in Hong Kong and the United Arab Emirates.Any US-based assets belonging to those designated will be blocked, while American individuals and companies are prohibited from engaging in transactions with them.US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said, “As Iran’s military desperately tries to regroup, Economic Fury will continue to deprive the regime of funding for its weapons programs, terrorist proxies, and nuclear ambitions,” referring to the ongoing pressure campaign.The sanctions come amid continuing disruption to global energy flows, with Tehran having effectively blocked the Strait of Hormuz, a key passage through which nearly a fifth of the world’s oil and gas is transported.While the US eased some restrictions on Iranian oil in March to address global supply concerns, it has since reinstated tighter measures.A significant portion of Iranian oil continues to flow towards Asia, with China remaining one of its largest importers and a key trading partner.The timing of the US action comes ahead of President Trump’s visit to Beijing later this week, where he is expected to meet Chinese President Xi Jinping for talks focused largely on trade disputes.Iran is also expected to feature in discussions, with Washington seeking greater pressure from Beijing on Tehran.Earlier, the US State Department sanctioned three China-based satellite companies on Friday over alleged support for Iran’s military operations, while the Treasury has previously targeted firms in mainland China and Hong Kong linked to Iranian weapons supply chains.
UK sanctions on Iran
Separately, the United Kingdom on Monday imposed sanctions on 12 Iran-linked individuals and entities accused of involvement in “hostile activities” against the UK and other countries.The UK Foreign Office updated its sanctions list to include nine individuals, two shadow banking exchange houses, and the Zindashti network, which it described as criminal.The UK had already sanctioned alleged network leader Naji Ibrahim Sharifi-Zindashti in 2024 alongside the United States, identifying him as head of an international drug and trafficking cartel.The European Union sanctioned the same network last year, with London, Washington and Brussels all alleging links to Iran’s Ministry of Intelligence and Security and accusing it of involvement in assassination and kidnapping operations targeting critics of Tehran.The latest UK measures come amid a series of recent incidents targeting the Jewish community in Britain, with officials warning that hostile states are increasingly using proxy networks.Among those sanctioned was Ekrem Abdulkerym Oztunc, a Turkish national and nephew of Zindashti.The UK also targeted five members of the Zarringhalam family: Farhad, Fazlolah, Mansour, Nasser and Pouria, accusing them of helping finance efforts to “destabilise” the country.Mansour, Nasser and Fazlolah Zarringhalam were previously sanctioned by the United States last year for their role in Iran’s “shadow banking” system.The US Treasury stated that the trio had “collectively laundered billions of dollars” for Iran through front companies operating in the United Arab Emirates and Hong Kong.London also added Berelian Exchange and GCM Exchange, both Iran-based exchange houses previously sanctioned by the US, to its sanctions list due to their links to the same network.Other individuals sanctioned by the UK include Iranians Nihat Abdul Kadir Asan and Reza Hamidiravari, along with Azerbaijani national Namiq Salifov, all of whom face travel bans and asset freezes.
