US imposes fresh sanctions on Iran's 'shadow fleet'

The United States imposed new sanctions on Thursday targeting what it called "the remnants of Iran's shadow fleet" of oil tankers, the latest step to increase pressure on Tehran. The sanctions target dozens of people, companies and vessels, according to the US Treasury Department. "Today's action effectively neutralizes the vast majority of Iran's remaining shadow fleet network," the department said in a statement. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said the aim was to deprive Tehran of the money it needs to "wage war in the region". The measures cover 17 vessels that reportedly carried millions of barrels of Iranian crude oil, as well as petroleum and petrochemical products, to markets in South and East Asia.