The U.S. Department of the Treasury, through the Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC), announced sanctions on nine vessels and several companies tied to Iran’s shadow fleet for transporting hundreds of millions of dollars’ worth of Iranian oil and petroleum products used to finance the regime’s security and terrorist activities.

The Treasury stated that the sanctions are part of the “maximum economic pressure” campaign against Iran, under Executive Order 13902, targeting the country’s oil and petrochemical sectors amid the regime’s continued repression of protesters and internet shutdowns.

U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent emphasized that the revenues generated from these shipments contribute to supporting terrorism and undermining Iran’s economy instead of addressing the demands of the Iranian people.

The sanctions list includes the vessels Sea Bird, Avon, and Eastern Hero, along with companies such as Horizon Harvest Shipping and Ayat Private Ship Management. It also covers the vessels CHIRON 5 and KEEL, operated by Trade Bridge Global Inc.

According to the statement, all property and interests of the designated individuals and entities within the United States, or in the possession of U.S. persons, will be frozen. U.S. persons are prohibited from engaging in transactions with them unless authorized, with violations subject to civil or criminal penalties.

The Treasury concluded that the sanctions aim to bring about positive change in the Iranian regime’s behavior and cut off funding sources for its terrorist activities.