Trump’s latest wave of Iran sanctions: Which 60 entities are targeted?

For context, the United States has confirmed sweeping new economic sanctions on Iran and countries that trade with it as it seeks to apply more economic pressure to isolate the country from the global economy during a diplomatic deadlock during their war.

Key points

• Logistics firms Shenzhen Bositong Logistics Co Ltd, Bositong Supply Chain Shenzhen Co Ltd and shipping firm Lilimoon Navigation Inc were additionally sanctioned.
• Tiany Technology Ltd and MT Trading and Logistics HK Ltd were sanctioned for acting as intermediaries for Shenzhen Sweet Ocean Technology Ltd.
• Others slapped with sanctions are: Sky Oil and Gas Asia, Vienna Shipping Co and Riqueza Group Ltd.
• Iranian administration ministries have been the primary targets, including the Ministry of Intelligence and Security (MOIS) and the Ministry of Defence and Armed Forces Logistics (MODAFL).
• Organisations associated with them are additionally on the sanctions list, including Iran-based logistics firm Noavaran Axis Private Joint Stock Business (BRE Line).

US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent on Monday confirmed the measures, describing the campaign as the "economic asphyxiation" of Iran as the US-Israeli war on the country nears its six-month mark.

"Around the globe, our objective is to sever every economic lifeline that sustains this tyrannical regime until Tehran stands alone, " Bessent remarked at a news briefing.

For context, the US Department of the Treasury imposed new sanctions on almost 60 individuals and entities, targeting networks accused by Washington of helping Iran generate oil revenue, procure weapons and conduct cyberoperations.

Iran has rejected the latest US sanctions. Economy Minister Ali Madanizadeh remarked the new measures will fail. "US sanctions against us are not new. We have programmes to counter American sanctions, and Washington cannot achieve its goals by severing the arteries of our economy, " he was quoted as saying by the Fars News Agency. Here is what you need to know. Who are the 60 entities targeted and why?

Notably, the US Treasury Department remarked the latest measures target businesses and vessels involved in networks supporting Iran's nuclear and missile programmes, cyberoperations and oil-revenue generation.

For context, the wider sanctions campaign focuses on five sectors that Washington remarked sustain Iran's economy: digital assets, technology, gold, aviation and shipping.

Bessent remarked his department has mapped the networks, facilitators and financial channels Iran uses to smuggle oil and evade sanctions.

Entities and individuals targeted are spread from the Middle East to China, Singapore and Europe. According to the Treasury Department, one major target is a procurement network of more than 20 individuals and entities throughout the Middle East and East Asia that is accused of helping Iran obtain sensitive technology for nuclear research and ballistic missile development.

"The network has enabled Iran to obtain highly sensitive dual‑use technology through a sprawling system of front companies, covert financial channels, and logistics intermediaries across East Asia, allowing sanctioned Iranian military institutions to disguise end users and evade global export controls, " the US Treasury remarked in an official note.

Below are the entities based in Iran and beyond that are impacted by the sanctions.

Organisations associated with them are additionally on the sanctions list, including Iran-based logistics firm Noavaran Axis Private Joint Stock Business (BRE Line). It the US Treasury accused of facilitating shipments to the already-sanctioned Organization of Defensive Research and Innovation, which is part of MODAFL.

Meanwhile, the US additionally sanctioned a number of individuals related to the MOIS, including Mohammad Hossein Aslani, Reza Kadkhodai and Arman Kahzadian. This person it accused of being involved in cyberactivities.

Sweet Ocean Industrial Ltd was among the dozen or so Hong Kong-based entities sanctioned. The US Treasury accused it of acting as an intermediary for sensitive equipment destined for Malek Ashtar University of Technology in Iran. It is sanctioned by the US, European Union and United Nations. A number of businesses linked to its procurement network, including RPT Technology Ltd and Shenzhen Sweet Ocean Technology Ltd, were additionally targeted.

Feili Co Ltd, Minvur Ltd, Feisu Ltd and Guska Co Ltd were additionally sanctioned for allegedly being part of a procurement network benefitting multiple Iranian end users.

Three firms accused of facilitating payments for Iran's "clandestine 'shadow banking' networks", including for Iranian exchanges Seyyed Mohammad Mosannai Najibi and Partners Co, already under US sanctions, were additionally targeted by the new measures.

Notably, the Hong Kong-registered shipping firm Shipoil Ltd was additionally accused of coordinating bunkering and other services for vessels carrying Iranian crude oil and petroleum products for sanctioned entities, such as the Persian Gulf Petrochemical Industries Corp, Triliance Petrochemical, National Iranian Tanker Firm and the network of Iranian oil magnate Mohammad Hossein Shamkhani.

For context, the sanctioned Chinese entities appear on the US list primarily for helping with procurement, logistics and shipping backing for Iran's nuclear, missile and oil‑revenue networks.

At the core of the procurement network is Shenzhen Sweet Ocean Technology Ltd, a China‑based firm specialising in test instruments, lab devices, optical and electronic products, and acting as a procurement and sourcing agent for Iranian customers. Its director, Tian Jianbai, was additionally sanctioned.

Shenzhen Huamei Lianyun International Logistics Co Ltd was sanctioned for serving as the designated service provider in China for Iran‑based BRE Line, facilitating shipments to Iran's Organization of Defensive Research and Innovation, the entity the US remarked is responsible for nuclear weapons research.

Additionally, logistics firms Shenzhen Bositong Logistics Co Ltd, Bositong Supply Chain Shenzhen Co Ltd and shipping firm Lilimoon Navigation Inc were additionally sanctioned.

Meanwhile, a number of Singapore‑registered entities are designated for operating in the petroleum sector of the Iranian economy or for being owned or controlled by individuals already tied to the sanctioned Iranian oil trade.

Azure Shipping Pte Ltd is singled out for its work with the National Iranian Tanker Firm. Its former owner, Singapore‑based Mansoor Tayabbhai Gandhi, was additionally sanctioned, together with two shipping businesses he owns, Trans Arctic Global Marine Services and Arc Chartering.

Singapore-based Wellbred Capital Pte Ltd and its subsidiaries in Switzerland and the United Arab Emirates. It specialise in petrochemicals, were targeted for acting on behalf of Iranian oil magnate Shamkhani.

Vast Mart Sdn Bhd was accused of transferring funds to Hong Kong-based Sweet Ocean on "multiple occasions".

Shipping firm Estanica Trading Ltd was included on the sanctions list for operating a Gambia-flagged vessel that allegedly transported hundreds of thousands of barrels of Iranian oil.

La Nivernaise de Raffinage SAS, a cooking oil firm, was sanctioned for being owned by the Swiss branch of Wellbred Trading.

UAE-based businessman and Syrian national Mohammad Ahmed Suhil Fattouh was accused of being a broker for Iranian shadow fleets, including the previously sanctioned National Iranian Oil Firm and the oil sales arm of the Iranian military's General Staff.

UAE-based businessman Ivan Obukhov was accused of being a broker for Iranian shadow fleets, including for the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC).

In practice, the Sifra Shipping Co was sanctioned for operating the Botswana-flagged vessel SIFRA and allegedly transporting hundreds of thousands of barrels of Iranian liquefied petroleum gas and ethylene.

Greek nationals Almpertos Tsoris and Georgios Tsoris were linked to the Shipoil network and accused of coordinating with sanctioned Iranian entities and providing bunkering services. Which countries have been affected? Who did the US spare?

Chinese financial institutions suspected of facilitating Iran's oil trade were among the most notable omissions from the sanctions list.

Bessent declined to identify the countries that could face future secondary sanctions or say when those penalties would take effect. Instead, he remarked Washington would provide countries and firms time to cut their business ties with Iran.

"Why would I want to blow up the global financial system?" Bessent remarked.

In practice, the approach appears particularly significant since China has been Iran's biggest buyer of oil for a number of years. Washington may be wary of provoking Chinese retaliation, particularly since Beijing is a major supplier of critical minerals. How has Iran reacted?

Iranian administration spokeswoman Fatemeh Mohajerani stated the administration and President Masoud Pezeshkian will guide Iran through these developments.

"The administration and the president, with wisdom and resolve, will guide the country through this phase as well. As in days past, we will pass through this intense gauntlet, " she wrote in a post on X, we do not deny the economic hardships; but with sound judgment and by preserving unity.

Taken together, the developments around trump's latest wave of Iran sanctions: Which 60 entities are targeted? Point to a situation that is still moving, and the coming days should bring more clarity.