On April 30, 2025, the U.S. Department of State has announced a new round of sanctions targeting companies and vessels involved in Iran’s illicit petrochemical and petroleum trade, as part of ongoing efforts to disrupt the Islamic Republic’s revenue streams that fund regional destabilization and terrorism.
In a fact sheet released on April 30, the State Department confirmed sanctions on seven entities and two vessels engaged in transactions involving Iranian-origin energy products. These measures, implemented under Executive Order 13846, are aimed at halting Iran’s ability to finance its nuclear ambitions and support for militant proxies across the Middle East.
Major Sellers and Buyers Sanctioned
Among the designated entities are four UAE-based petrochemical sellers—Solvent Organics FZE, Alseerah Trading L.L.C, Harold Trading L.L.C, and Shivnani Organics FZE—which collectively exported over $480 million worth of Iranian-origin petrochemicals to third-party countries. Also sanctioned is Kimpas, a Türkiye-based importer, which sourced over $15 million in Iranian products from U.S.-designated companies like Jam Petrochemical and Persian Gulf Petrochemical Industry Commercial Co.
“These actors have played a central role in helping Iran evade sanctions and generate illicit funds that support its malign activities,” the Department said.
Maritime Network and Inspection Facilitators Targeted
The sanctions also cover Vroom Marine Venture FZE, a UAE-based shipping management company linked to transporting Iranian petroleum products aboard the tankers Eloise and Olia, now both listed as blocked property.
In a move highlighting the complexity of Iran’s sanctions evasion network, the U.S. also designated Keyhan Sanjesh Azma, an Iran-based cargo inspection company. The firm has reportedly certified the loading of Iranian petroleum products as recently as August 2024, facilitating covert exports and reducing risk for sanctions violators.
Sanctions Implications
As a result of these actions, all U.S.-based property and interests of the sanctioned entities and individuals are frozen. U.S. persons are prohibited from engaging in transactions with them unless authorized by the Department of Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC).
The Trump administration has reiterated its commitment to curbing Iran’s destabilizing influence in the region, calling on the international community to join efforts in enforcing sanctions and denying Tehran the financial resources used to fund conflict.
