IRAN has condemned Washington's move to impose shipping-related sanctions, saying it would prevent it from legitimate trading with partners, reported IRNA news agency.
The US Treasury said on it was imposing sanctions on a few individuals and tankers helping to ship oil to China.
The move comes after US President Donald Trump earlier this week vowed to bring Iran's oil exports to zero as the US tries to prevent the country from obtaining a nuclear weapon.
The Treasury said the oil was shipped on behalf of Iran's Armed Forces General Staff and its front company Sepehr Energy, which the US designated in late 2023, Reuters reported.
This sanctions targeted jurisdictions, including China, India, and the United Arab Emirates, as well as several vessels.
Treasury said it imposed blocking sanctions on the Panama-flagged 58,156-ton CH Billion tanker and the Hong Kong-flagged 318,692-ton Star Forest tanker for their role in shipping Iranian oil to China.
The US said the tankers 'onboarded' Iranian crude from storage in China as part of a scheme involving Iran's military, which stands to profit from the sale of the oil.
They were the first US sanctions on Iran's oil after US President Donald Trump last week vowed to bring Iran's crude exports to zero, part of efforts to curb the country's nuclear capabilities.
'The decision of the new US administration to exert pressure on the Iranian people by preventing iran from conducting legitimate trade with its economic partners is an illegitimate and unlawful action,' said foreign ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei.
Iran, he said, 'holds the United States responsible for the consequences and repercussions of such unilateral and bullying actions.'
SeaNews Turkey
The US Treasury said on it was imposing sanctions on a few individuals and tankers helping to ship oil to China.
The move comes after US President Donald Trump earlier this week vowed to bring Iran's oil exports to zero as the US tries to prevent the country from obtaining a nuclear weapon.
The Treasury said the oil was shipped on behalf of Iran's Armed Forces General Staff and its front company Sepehr Energy, which the US designated in late 2023, Reuters reported.
This sanctions targeted jurisdictions, including China, India, and the United Arab Emirates, as well as several vessels.
Treasury said it imposed blocking sanctions on the Panama-flagged 58,156-ton CH Billion tanker and the Hong Kong-flagged 318,692-ton Star Forest tanker for their role in shipping Iranian oil to China.
The US said the tankers 'onboarded' Iranian crude from storage in China as part of a scheme involving Iran's military, which stands to profit from the sale of the oil.
They were the first US sanctions on Iran's oil after US President Donald Trump last week vowed to bring Iran's crude exports to zero, part of efforts to curb the country's nuclear capabilities.
'The decision of the new US administration to exert pressure on the Iranian people by preventing iran from conducting legitimate trade with its economic partners is an illegitimate and unlawful action,' said foreign ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei.
Iran, he said, 'holds the United States responsible for the consequences and repercussions of such unilateral and bullying actions.'
SeaNews Turkey
