U.S. Imposes Fresh Sanctions On Iranian Oil Exports To China Ahead Of Trump-Xi Talks

oil tanker — Image for representation purposes only

The United States has imposed sanctions on 12 individuals and companies accused of helping Iran sell and transport oil to China through a network linked to Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC).

The US Treasury said the sanctions target three individuals and nine companies based in Hong Kong, the United Arab Emirates and Oman.

According to the Treasury, the network used front companies to arrange the sale, shipment and payment of Iranian oil cargoes sent to China.

The latest measures were announced days before US President Donald Trump is expected to meet Chinese President Xi Jinping in Beijing.

The US is expected to discuss Iran during the talks and ask China, one of the largest buyers of Iranian oil, to put more pressure on Tehran.

The Treasury said the sanctions were aimed at people and companies linked to the IRGC’s Shahid Purja’fari oil headquarters.

According to US authorities, the group coordinated payments for Iranian oil shipments through Turkey-based Golden Globe, which had already been sanctioned by the US in July 2025.

The three sanctioned individuals were said to be working for the IRGC’s Shahid Purja’fari oil headquarters and were involved in coordinating payments through Golden Globe.

Among the companies targeted were Hong Kong-based Hong Kong Blue Ocean Ltd and Hong Kong Sanmu Ltd.

The Treasury described both companies as cover firms used to arrange the sale and shipment of Iranian oil.

Dubai-based Ocean Allianz Shipping LLC and Sharjah-based Atic Energy FZE were also sanctioned.

The Treasury said the companies helped move Iranian oil on five sanctioned shadow fleet tankers during 2025.

Oman-based Zeus Logistics Group was accused of arranging vessels used to transport Iranian oil cargoes.

The sanctions also include Hong Kong-based Jiandi HK Ltd, which the Treasury said signed a deal with the IRGC to buy tens of millions of dollars worth of Iranian oil.

Hong Kong-based Max Honor International Trade Co Ltd was accused of purchasing millions of barrels of Iranian oil from the IRGC in 2025.

Dubai-based Blanca Goods Wholesaler LLC and Universal Fortune Trading LLC were also sanctioned.

According to the Treasury, Universal Fortune Trading LLC had also been used as a front company by the National Iranian Oil Company (NIOC).

US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said Washington would continue using sanctions to block funding linked to Iran’s weapons programmes, nuclear activities and regional proxy groups.

He said the US would continue targeting the financial networks used by Iran and accused the Iranian government of using those networks to support destabilising activities.

The US State Department also announced a reward of up to $15 million for information that could help disrupt the financial operations of the IRGC and its branches, which Washington classifies as terrorist organisations.

The latest sanctions follow measures announced last week against individuals and companies accused of helping Iran purchase weapons parts and components used in drones and ballistic missiles.

Iran exports much of its oil to Asia, with China remaining one of its largest trading partners.

The situation has also kept attention on the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world’s busiest oil shipping routes, where regional tensions have continued to affect global energy markets.

References: indianexpress, economictimes

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