The U.S. on Wednesday said it imposed a new round of sanctions on a group of 20 people and firms allegedly involved in a financial facilitation network for the benefit of the Iranian military. The Treasury Department sanctions impact firms and people spanning Hong Kong to the United Arab Emirates.
Quick Read
- New U.S. Sanctions on Iran-Related Network: The U.S. imposed sanctions on 20 individuals and firms for aiding the Iranian military financially.
- Global Reach of Sanctions: The sanctions affect entities in various regions, including Hong Kong and the United Arab Emirates.
- Targeting Sepehr Energy: Sepehr Energy, an Iranian company, and its employees, brokers, and purchasers are included in the sanctions.
- Allegations Against Sepehr Energy: The U.S. accuses Sepehr Energy of being a front for Iran’s oil sales, funding destabilizing activities and supporting groups like Hamas and Hezbollah.
- Sepehr Energy’s Lack of Response: Sepehr Energy did not comment on the sanctions when approached by the Associated Press.
- Effects of Sanctions: The sanctions restrict access to U.S. property and financial systems and prohibit business dealings with American entities.
- U.S. Treasury’s Stance: The Treasury Department asserts Iran’s engagement in illicit finance to support conflict and terrorism in the region.
- Ongoing U.S. Commitment: The U.S. aims to disrupt Iran’s military funding and expose its international partners involved in these activities.
- White House’s Position on Iran’s Involvement: The White House has not found evidence of Iran’s direct involvement in the October 7 attacks on Israel but acknowledges Iran as Hamas’s primary financial and military supporter.
- U.S. Military Response in the Region: In retaliation for attacks on U.S. bases in Iraq and Syria since October 7, the U.S. has targeted Iranian-linked weapons depots in Syria.
The Associated Press has the story:
US sanctions financial network of 20 people, firms tied to Iranian oil sales
Newslooks- WASHINGTON (AP)
The U.S. on Wednesday said it imposed a new round of sanctions on a group of 20 people and firms allegedly involved in a financial facilitation network for the benefit of the Iranian military.
The Treasury Department sanctions impact firms and people spanning Hong Kong to the United Arab Emirates.
Included in the sanctions package are employees, brokers and purchasers from Iranian firm Sepehr Energy, which is also subject to sanctions.
The U.S. alleges that Sepehr acts as a front company for the Iranian government’s oil sales, which “fund its destabilizing regional activities and support of multiple regional proxy groups,” including Hamas and Hezbollah, according to a Treasury statement.
A representative from Sepehr Energy did not respond to an Associated Press request for comment.
The sanctions block access to U.S. property and bank accounts and prevent the targeted people and companies from doing business with Americans.
Iran engages in “illicit finance schemes to generate funds to fan conflict and spread terror throughout the region,” said Brian E. Nelson, Treasury’s under secretary for terrorism and financial intelligence.
“The United States remains committed to exposing elements of the Iranian military and its complicit partners abroad to disrupt this critical source of funds,” he said.
The White House has said it has yet to uncover information that Iran, the principal financial and military sponsor of Hamas, was directly involved in the multipronged operation against Israel on Oct. 7.
However, the U.S. has conducted strikes over the last several weeks against Iranian-tied weapons depots in Syria to retaliate for dozens of rocket and drone attacks that militant groups have launched since Oct. 7 against U.S. bases in Iraq and Syria.
