The United States on Friday announced a fresh set of sanctions targeting Iran’s oil and petrochemical trade, including an India-based shipping management company. The move came just hours after indirect talks between Tehran and Washington concluded in Oman, with both sides signaling a willingness to continue negotiations aimed at reducing tensions over Iran’s nuclear program.
Sanctions Target Iran’s “Shadow Fleet”
According to Reuters, the US State Department revealed that the sanctions target 15 entities and 14 vessels linked to Iran’s so-called “shadow fleet.” Washington claims this fleet is used to transport petroleum, petrochemical products, and other goods in violation of international restrictions.
State Department spokesperson Tommy Pigott said the sanctions are part of the Trump administration’s renewed pressure campaign on Tehran.
“President Donald Trump is committed to driving down the Iranian regime’s illicit oil and petrochemical exports under the administration’s maximum pressure campaign,” Pigott said.
The US stated the measures aim to cut off funds that Tehran uses for domestic repression and destabilizing activities abroad. Pigott accused Iran of prioritizing regional influence and internal crackdowns over the welfare of its own citizens, “Instead of investing in the welfare of its own people and crumbling infrastructure, the Iranian regime continues to fund destabilising activities around the world and step up its repression inside Iran,” he said.
He also warned of further action if Iran continues to evade sanctions, “So long as Iranian regime attempts to evade sanctions and generate oil and petrochemical revenues to fund such oppressive behavior and support terrorist activities and proxies, the United States will act to hold both the Iranian regime and its partners accountable.”
India-Based Firm Among Targets
One of the entities targeted is Elevate Marine Management Private Limited, an Indian shipping management company. The State Department said the company acted as the commercial manager of the Cameroon-flagged tanker BENEDICT, which allegedly transported Iranian petroleum products on at least three occasions between September and November 2025. Akash Anant Shinde, an Indian national, was named as a director of the company.
Indirect Talks Between Tehran and Washington
The sanctions were announced shortly after Iranian and US officials held indirect negotiations in Muscat, mediated by Oman. Tehran described the discussions as constructive.
Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi expressed cautious optimism, calling the talks “a good start”, “If we can go along with this positive path, I can say that we can reach a positive framework regarding the nuclear talks between Iran and the US,” he told reporters.
Araghchi said both sides agreed to continue discussions after consulting their respective capitals, “Our concerns were conveyed, as well as our interests and the rights that the Iranian people have. It was conveyed in a very good atmosphere, and the views of the other side were also heard,” he added.
Oman’s foreign ministry confirmed that its foreign minister, Badr al-Busaidi, met separately with Araghchi and US Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff in Muscat. Footage released by Oman’s state news agency showed US Navy Admiral Brad Cooper, head of US Central Command, was also present.
Rising Tensions in the Region
These talks are the first formal engagement since the US supported Israel’s military actions against Iran in June, which damaged Iranian nuclear facilities. Israel also struck Iran’s air defense and missile infrastructure. Since then, Washington has increased its military presence in the region, deploying additional warships, fighter jets, and the aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln.
US officials have indicated that they want the talks to cover not only Iran’s nuclear program but also its missile capabilities and regional influence—a stance Tehran has rejected, insisting the discussions remain limited in scope.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio acknowledged the difficulties earlier this week, “I’m not sure you can reach a deal with these guys, but we’re going to try to find out.”
Tensions remain high. The US recently shot down an Iranian drone near the USS Abraham Lincoln, while Iran tried to stop a US-flagged vessel in the Strait of Hormuz.
Friday’s sanctions follow similar measures last month targeting vessels accused of transporting hundreds of millions of dollars’ worth of Iranian oil. The US Treasury has said Iran’s shadow fleet plays a key role in financing the regime’s domestic crackdowns and regional activities.
