The Trump administration restarted a campaign of “maximum pressure” against Iran on Feb. 4, a strategic escalation designed to force negotiations for a new nuclear deal and curb Iran’s destabilizing regional activities. It’s brought a sanctions barrage.
The U.S. has designated 258 related parties in all over the past four months, nearly three-quarters as many as the Biden administration did in all of last year. The targets go well beyond Iran’s nuclear and ballistic missile programs, to include its terrorist networks, and well beyond Iran itself: Among them are Hong Kong oil brokers, Chinese “teapot” refineries, Indian trading and procurement agents, and UAE shipping companies helping to power Iran’s sanctions-evading “shadow fleet.”
Now, as the U.S. and Iran discuss a possible deal that would limit Iran’s nuclear program, Kharon compiled the revealing numbers behind the renewed “maximum pressure.” Together, they highlight the vast international networks that have enabled Iran to continue its petroleum and tech exports, generate revenue, and sustain its economy.
They also show how the pressure didn’t relent once the two countries arrived at the negotiating table in April. The U.S., we found, has sanctioned nearly 100 actors since.
The U.S. has designated 258 related parties in all over the past four months, nearly three-quarters as many as the Biden administration did in all of last year. The targets go well beyond Iran’s nuclear and ballistic missile programs, to include its terrorist networks, and well beyond Iran itself: Among them are Hong Kong oil brokers, Chinese “teapot” refineries, Indian trading and procurement agents, and UAE shipping companies helping to power Iran’s sanctions-evading “shadow fleet.”
Now, as the U.S. and Iran discuss a possible deal that would limit Iran’s nuclear program, Kharon compiled the revealing numbers behind the renewed “maximum pressure.” Together, they highlight the vast international networks that have enabled Iran to continue its petroleum and tech exports, generate revenue, and sustain its economy.
They also show how the pressure didn’t relent once the two countries arrived at the negotiating table in April. The U.S., we found, has sanctioned nearly 100 actors since.
Read more from Kharon:
- A Sprawling Iranian Network Is Facilitating Its Tech Exports, Sidestepping Sanctions
- Two Iranian Shadow Fleet Firms Were Sanctioned. Their Directors Have a History.
- U.S. Sanctions Iranian Drone Network — and Shows the Risks of a Single Address
- Flouting Sanctions Risks, Iranian Oil Brokers Are Advertising Openly on Instagram
- Iran’s Flagship Airline Got Sanctioned. Its Import-Export Web Went On.
