Iran slams U.S. ‘assault on the Iranian people’

The Iranian government has condemned a new wave of U.S. sanctions targeting more than 115 individuals, entities and vessels linked to its oil and petrochemical sectors. Tehran described the move as part of Washington’s ongoing “hostile policy” and an “assault on the Iranian people.”

U.S. pressure on Iran

The latest action builds on the United States’ “maximum pressure” campaign aimed at ending Tehran’s energy sector. The approach, launched during President Donald Trump‘s administration, attempts to cut off Tehran’s oil revenues — which has been consistently denounced by Iranian officials.

The sanctions

The newly announced sanctions focus on an alleged international shipping network controlled by Mohammad Hossein Shamkhani, the son of a top adviser to Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei. The sanctions named 20 oil companies, five vessel management firms, a wholesaler and dozens of actors across 17 countries including the U.K., Switzerland, India and the UAE.

The claims

According to U.S. authorities, the targeted network funneled billions in oil and petrochemical profits — largely through covert deliveries to China. Officials accuse the group of using foreign passports, shell companies and deceptive maritime practices to bypass restrictions. Their U.S.-linked assets have reportedly been frozen, and access to the American financial system blocked.

The response

Iran’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baqaei said the move showed “clear evidence of the hostility of American decision-makers towards the Iranian people.” He vowed that the country would not yield to pressure. Baqaei also lashed out at the Trump administration, claiming Washington suffers from a “chronic addiction to unilateralism” and employs “pressure tactics in pursuit of illegitimate goals.”

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