US Imposes New Sanctions on Iran's Shadow Oil Fleet
The United States imposed a fresh round of sanctions targeting Iran's oil industry on Monday, hitting more than 30 brokers, tanker operators, and shipping companies for their role in selling and transporting Iranian petroleum. The announcement comes as U.S. President Donald Trump seeks to bring Iran's crude exports to zero to prevent the country from obtaining a nuclear weapon. Sanctions target key players in Iran's oil supply chain, including the head of the National Iranian Oil Company.
- The complex network of vessels, shippers, and brokers Iran uses to evade sanctions highlights the ongoing cat-and-mouse game between governments and illicit networks.
- Will China's refusal to recognize US sanctions ultimately lead to a collapse of Iran's oil exports, or will Beijing find ways to circumvent the restrictions?