The U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) announced on Apr. 15 new sanctions against more than two dozen individuals, companies, and vessels connected to illicit Iranian oil shipping and a gold smuggling scheme benefiting Hizballah.
The move is part of ongoing efforts to disrupt financial networks that support Iran’s regime and its proxies in the region. According to the Treasury, these networks generate billions of dollars for both Iranian and Russian interests while bypassing international sanctions.
Secretary of the Treasury Scott Bessent said, “Treasury is moving aggressively with Economic Fury by targeting regime elites like the Shamkhani family that attempt to profit at the expense of the Iranian people.” He added, “Under President Trump’s leadership, Treasury will continue to cut off Iran’s illicit smuggling and terror proxy networks. Financial institutions should be on notice that Treasury will leverage all tools and authorities, including secondary sanctions, against those that continue to support Tehran’s terrorist activities.”
The main target is Mohammad Hossein Shamkhani, who leads a multi-billion dollar petroleum sales operation involving Iranian and Russian oil products. The action builds upon OFAC’s July 2025 designation of Shamkhani’s network—described as its largest single action since reinstating maximum pressure measures against Iran.
OFAC also designated Seyed Naiemaei Badroddin Moosavi—a financier linked to Hizballah—and three associated companies for running a money laundering scheme exchanging sanctioned Iranian oil for Venezuelan gold under Venezuela’s former government. The proceeds supported Hizballah and Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps–Qods Force.
Several front companies based in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), India, Marshall Islands, Netherlands, Cameroon, Panama, and other jurisdictions were identified as key facilitators within these networks. The targeted entities include shipping firms such as Oriel Group; Corplinx Consultancy LLC FZ; House of Shipping Investment FZCO; Meritron DMCC; Taylor Shipping FZCO; Shipza Shipping Limited; Fleet Tanqo Private Limited; Hapuka Marine Ltd.; Nardie International S.A.; Anika Lines Inc.; Aura Lines Inc.; ACS Trading LLC; A.C.S Global BV; Lotus Universal LLC; among others.
All property or interests in property belonging to designated or blocked persons within U.S. jurisdiction are now frozen under these actions. Transactions involving these entities by U.S. persons or through U.S.-linked systems are generally prohibited unless authorized by OFAC or exempted by law.
Violations may result in civil or criminal penalties for both domestic and foreign parties involved with sanctioned individuals or organizations. OFAC noted it may remove names from its Specially Designated Nationals (SDN) List if warranted under applicable laws: “The ultimate goal of sanctions is not to punish but to bring about a positive change in behavior.”
