Iran has strongly criticized fresh United States sanctions targeting a shipping network allegedly controlled by Mohammad Hossein Shamkhani, the son of a top advisor to Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.
The U.S. Treasury Department imposed restrictions on Wednesday on more than 115 individuals, companies and vessels accused of facilitating Iranian and Russian oil sales, describing it as the largest such action since the Trump administration’s “maximum pressure” campaign began in 2018.
Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baqaei denounced the sanctions as “a malicious act aimed at undermining the economic development and welfare of the Iranian people.” He went further to call them “clear evidence of the enmity of American decision-makers toward Iranians” and “a crime against humanity.” Baqaei accused Washington of pursuing “economic terrorism” through unilateral measures that violate international law.
The sanctions specifically target a fleet of more than 50 tankers and container ships allegedly operated by Shamkhani’s network, which the U.S. claims generates tens of billions in profits transporting Iranian and Russian oil.
U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent stated that “The Shamkhani family’s shipping empire highlights how the Iranian regime elites leverage their positions to accrue massive wealth and fund the regime’s dangerous behavior.”
The diplomatic tensions come amid recent military confrontations, with Baqaei referencing last month’s U.S.-backed Israeli strikes on Iranian nuclear and military sites that reportedly killed over 1,000 Iranians. Iran’s retaliatory strikes killed 29 in Israel before a ceasefire took effect on June 24.
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, in a Financial Times interview, called the attacks during nuclear negotiations a “betrayal” but left open the possibility of returning to talks, albeit with conditions including U.S. guarantees against future attacks and compensation for damages.
Araghchi noted there remains a “narrow” chance for diplomacy regarding Iran’s nuclear program, though he acknowledged strong domestic opposition to resuming negotiations with Washington.