By Gao Yun
On Friday, Feb. 6 the U.S. State Department announced a new round of sanctions targeting a group of individuals, entities, and vessels, aimed at cutting off key revenue streams that the Iranian regime uses to fund overseas terrorism and domestic repression.
According to the State Department statement, the sanctions cover 14 “shadow fleet” ships, 15 companies involved in Iranian oil or petrochemical trade, and two related individuals. These targets are involved in the transport and trade of Iranian crude oil, petroleum products, and petrochemical goods.
The U.S. State Department stated that the Iranian regime continues to prioritize destabilizing policies over the safety of its people, as evidenced by large-scale violent actions suppressing peaceful protesters. The U.S. will continue to target Iran’s energy export networks, particularly by sanctioning its shipping and trade systems to restrict its primary sources of funding.
All sanctions are issued under Executive Order 13846 (E.O. 13846), which authorizes the U.S. to impose a range of financial and economic penalties on Iran.
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Iran relies on an illicit shipping network spanning multiple jurisdictions to covertly export energy products to third-country buyers. These vessels often use deceptive methods such as “turned-off vessel identification systems” (also known as “dark shipping”), posing serious risks to international maritime safety and legitimate trade.
Sanctioned Chinese companies include Qingdao Ocean Kimo Ship Management Co., Ltd, which transported Iranian crude oil in 2025.
Another company is Shanghai Qizhang Ship Management Co., Ltd (phonetic translation), which has transported Iranian petrochemical products at least five times since July 2023.
Under E.O. 13846, all listed individuals and entities will have their property in the U.S., or property controlled or held by U.S. persons, frozen, and must report to the Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) of the U.S. Department of the Treasury.
Additionally, U.S. persons and transactions in or through the United States are prohibited from engaging in any property or service dealings with these sanctioned parties unless authorized by OFAC.
The State Department emphasized that the ultimate goal of the sanctions is to induce a change in behavior, not simply to punish. This policy includes both the authority to impose sanctions and mechanisms to remove targets from the Specially Designated Nationals and Blocked Persons List (SDN List) once they comply.
