US Sanctions Entities Involved in Iranian Oil Trade Over Terrorism, Human Rights Violations

The Treasury Department says Iran maintains a ’shadow fleet' in its oil trade to fund illicit activities.

An oil tanker is pictured off the Iranian port city of Bandar Abbas, which is the main base of the Islamic republic's navy and has a strategic position on the Strait of Hormuzon, on April 30, 2019. Atta Kenare/AFP via Getty Images

The United States announced new sanctions on Dec. 19 on Iranian oil over terrorism and human rights abuses, targeting international vessels and businesses that the U.S. Treasury Department says generate billions for the Iranian regime.

The revenue has gone toward Iran’s nuclear weapons program, development of ballistic missiles, and terrorist groups Hezbollah, Hamas, and Houthis, according to the U.S. State Department.