On Wednesday, the United States imposed sanctions on eight corporations involved in the operation of tankers that moved Iranian crude oil to the United Arab Emirates and China. The State Department identified these vessels as components of Iran’s shadow fleet, utilized to bypass existing restrictions on its petrochemical exports.
Additionally, Washington targeted the Persian Gulf Marine Insurance Company and the Hormuz Safe Marine Services Authority. These organizations, which are supported by the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, are alleged to have created maritime security threats, such as potential ship seizures, to profit from selling protection services to commercial vessels.
These latest measures aim to restrict the financial inflows to Iranian military branches. The total count of sanctioned vessels for this year has now surpassed 100. Simultaneously, Saudi Arabia is reportedly attempting to organize a global coalition to secure Red Sea shipping lanes against attacks from the Houthis, who are part of Iran’s regional influence network. In retaliation for these developments, a Saudi-backed faction of the Yemeni National Army showcased two new drone systems, known as Ayban and Naqm.