US Imposes Eighth Round of Sanctions on Iran Oil Smuggling Network

The U.S. has intensified sanctions against Iran, focusing on a network led by Iraqi-British businessman Salim Ahmed Said, who is accused of smuggling Iranian oil disguised as Iraqi crude through illicit blending and falsified documents. These sanctions target multiple entities including Said's UAE-based company VS Tankers and several vessels involved in ship-to-ship transfers to hide the oil's origin, with proceeds benefiting Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps. This marks the eighth round of sanctions under President Trump’s maximum pressure campaign, continuing even after a recent ceasefire in the US-Israeli conflict with Iran. While reports suggest potential upcoming talks between U.S. and Iranian officials, Iran demands assurances against military attacks during negotiations, expressing distrust towards the U.S. The sanctions follow a period of escalated military actions, including Israeli airstrikes on Iranian nuclear sites and U.S. strikes, with President Trump warning of further military action if Iran resumes uranium enrichment. Despite initial signals from Trump about possibly lifting some sanctions, recent statements confirm the U.S. will maintain economic pressure to disrupt Iran's destabilizing activities.