US issues new sanctions targeting Chinese importers of Iranian oil

GUIDANCE FOR SHIPPING

The Treasury on Wednesday also updated guidance for shipping and maritime stakeholders on “detecting and mitigating Iranian oil sanctions evasion,” warning, among other things, that Iran depends on a vast shadow fleet to disguise oil shipments.

The Treasury said it was the sixth round of sanctions targeting Iranian oil sales since Trump restored his “maximum pressure” campaign on Iran, which includes efforts to drive its oil exports down to zero to help prevent Tehran from developing a nuclear weapon.

In his first 2017-2021 term, Trump withdrew the US from a 2015 deal between Iran and world powers that placed strict limits on Tehran’s uranium enrichment activities in exchange for sanctions relief. Trump also reimposed sweeping US sanctions.