US Treasury Sanctions 7 Accused Of Supporting IRGC Procurement Network
The United States has imposed sanctions on seven individuals and entities accused of supporting weapons procurement for Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC), following Iranian attacks on commercial vessels in the Strait of Hormuz.
The Treasury Department Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) said in a press release on July 15 that the network used aviation and transport companies, financial intermediaries, and travel coordinators to obscure the IRGC’s role in acquiring weapons and moving personnel and material internationally.
Those sanctioned include Iranian national Behruz Namazi and his Tehran-based Nika Jet Company; the Nigeria-based Vanguard Tactical Supply Limited, Italian national Dounia Ettaib, and the Moscow-based aviation company Avratek along with two of its Russian employees.
US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said his department "will continue to target and disrupt the illicit procurement networks that fund Iran’s weapons programs and war machine.”
The measures freeze any US-based assets belonging to those designated and generally bar US persons from conducting transactions with them. Foreign financial institutions that knowingly facilitate significant transactions for sanctioned parties could also face secondary sanctions.
OFAC said the action builds on earlier sanctions targeting networks that procured weapons, including portable air-defense systems, for the IRGC.
US Strikes Target Iranian Ports, Continues Shipping Blockade
A new round of US strikes across Iran hit dozens of military targets in areas near the Strait of Hormuz, including missile storage and launch sites on Greater Tunb island, according to Western military officials. The US military's Central Command released footage it said shows air attacks focused on Iranian drone sites as well as military and communication assets. (Video by RFE/RL's Radio Farda and Will Tizard)
US Military Says It Diverted 2 Ships In First Hours Of Blockade
The US military's Central Command (CENTCOM) said that it diverted two commercial vessels within hours of reimposing a naval blockade on Iranian shipping.
In a statement on July 15, CENTCOM said its forces had redirected two ships that had been "attempting to run the blockade."
It added that it remained "vigilant and prepared to ensure full compliance" with its maritime restrictions on Iran.
US Military Launches New Wave Of Iran Strikes
US Central Command (CENTCOM) has issued a statement announcing a new wave of strikes against Iran, just hours after confirming that it had completed overnight strikes targeting military sites in the country.
"The strikes are designed to further degrade the military capabilities Iranian forces have used to attack commercial shipping in the Strait of Hormuz," CENTCOM said in a post on X, adding that the strikes were launched at 6 a.m. ET on July 15.
Pakistan Vows 'Unwavering Support' For Saudi Arabia
Pakistan has “strongly” condemned Iran's July 13 missile attack against Saudi Arabia and warned such “reprehensible actions” constitute a violation of the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the country.
In an , Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said such actions “have the potential to further undermine regional peace and stability.”
While reiterating his country’s efforts for peace and security in the region, Sharif reaffirmed Islamabad’s “unwavering support” for the security of the kingdom.
Pakistan and Saudi Arabia have close religious, economic, and strategic ties. Last year, Islamabad and Riyadh formally entered a Strategic Mutual Defence Agreement, which stipulates that "any aggression against either country shall be considered an aggression against both."
On July 13, the Iran-aligned Houthi militia in Yemen, fired missiles at Saudi Arbia after they accused the kingdom of bombing an airport under their control. The missile strike apparently brought an end to the four-year truce between the Yemen-based Houthis and the Saudis.
Since the beginning of the conflict in late February, Pakistan remained one of the active players in arranging a cease-fire between the United States and Iran by hosting delegations from the two countries for face-to-face talks in Islamabad in April.
Pakistani army chief Asim Munir, once described by President Donald Trump as his favorite field marshal, paid several trips to Tehran to shore up the temporary cease-fire announced by the US president on April 7.
US Completes Another Round Of Strikes On Iranian Military Targets
US Central Command (CENTCOM) said it had completed another round of overnight strikes on Iranian military targets near the Strait of Hormuz and along Iran's coast, while reimposing a naval blockade on vessels traveling to or from Iranian ports, as Tehran said it had targeted US military facilities in Bahrain and Kuwait.
"US fighter aircraft, drones, and naval vessels launched precision munitions against Iranian missile and drone sites, naval capabilities, and coastal defense systems during the seven-hour wave to further degrade Iran's ability to threaten commercial shipping and civilian crews," CENTCOM said in a post on X.
"There are currently more than 20 US Navy warships and hundreds of military aircraft operating across the Middle East," CENTCOM added.
Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC) said it launched strikes against US military facilities in Bahrain and Kuwait, including sites used by the US Fifth Fleet, while Jordan's military reported on July 15 it intercepted and shot down three Iranian missiles.
CENTCOM Commander Admiral Brad Cooper also said Iran had intentionally attacked seven commercial ships over the past seven days across the region, leaving nearly a dozen civilian crew members killed, injured, or missing.
He said that Iranian forces also launched dozens of missiles and drones toward neighboring Gulf countries.
Meanwhile, US President Donald Trump warned that unless Tehran returns to the negotiating table, the United States could expand its campaign to target Iranian civilian infrastructure, including power plants and bridges. Speaking in an interview with Fox News on July 14, Trump said the United States would strike Iran "very hard" over the coming nights. Trump added that military strikes against Iran will continue "until I say it's enough."
New US Measures Target Iran's Sanctions Evading Network
- By RFE/RL
The US Treasury has announced a series of moves to increase pressure on Iran's sanctions evading network, especially targeting Mohammad Hossein Shamkhani, which it says remains a "major force" behind Tehran’s oil exports while expanding into global containerized shipping and commodities trading.
“The Iranian regime survives on deception, and the Shamkhani network is one of its most profitable engines,” Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said in the statement announcing the sanctions on July 14. “Treasury is shutting down the financial infrastructure that allows the regime to continue its threats to U.S. national security and global shipping.”
In all, the action includes more than 50 individuals, entities, and vessels that Washington says enable Shamkhani and the Iranian regime "to continue profiting while the Iranian people remain burdened under the economic yoke imposed by their government."
"This action is part of Treasury’s ongoing efforts to ramp up economic pressure on the Iranian regime after it resumed destabilizing attacks in the Strait of Hormuz," the Treasury said in the statement.
By threatening and attacking international shipping in the Strait of Hormuz, Iran has brought maritime traffic to a virtual standstill, giving it significant leverage over its neighbors in the Persian Gulf and the global economy, making it one of the main battlegrounds of the conflict.
Saudi Arabia Denounces Iranian Attacks On Gulf Countries, Warns Of Consequences
Saudi Arabia's Foreign Ministry has expressed "strong condemnation" of Iran's attacks on several Arab countries, holding Tehran "responsible for the consequences of continuing these cruel attacks."
In a statement on July 14, Riyadh specifically mentioned strikes against of a number of Kuwaiti border posts, an offshore drilling platform belonging to the Kuwaiti Oil Company, and attacks on the Kuwaiti Consulate General in the Iraqi city of Basra.
Citing Iran's attacks on Jordan, Bahrain, Qatar, and two Emirati oil tankers while they were passing through the Strait of Hormuz, the Saudi government criticized "Iran's continued threat to regional security and stability."
"The Kingdom holds Iran responsible for the consequences of these ongoing hostilities" and demands an immediate halt to the violations, the statement went on to say, emphasizing Riyadh's full solidarity with the targeted countries.
Iranian Media Report Explosions On Qeshm Island And In Andimeshk
Iranian media has reported that explosions were heard on Qeshm Island and in the southwestern city of Andimeshk, without providing further details.
Citing the Hormozgan provincial governor's office, Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting said that at 7 p.m. local time on July 14, a "location" on Qeshm Island was targeted in a US attack.
The state broadcaster also reported that an explosion was heard in Andimeshk, although it later reported that these were "controlled explosions" and not an enemy attack.
Also in the evening of July 14, Kuwait's General Staff issued a warning saying that "hostile aerial targets" had been intercepted over the country.
In a statement, the Kuwaiti military urged citizens to follow security instructions, saying that any explosion sounds they might hear were the result of air defense operations "intercepting hostile attacks."
With reporting by RFE/RL's Radio Farda, Reuters, and AFP
Trump Drops Threat Of Hormuz Transit Fee, Turns To Gulf Investment Deals
US President Donald Trump has walked back his plan to charge a 20 percent fee on cargo shipped through the Strait of Hormuz, replacing it with proposed trade and investment agreements with Persian Gulf states.
The reversal came a day after Trump said the United States would act as “THE GUARDIAN OF THE HORMUZ STRAIT” and seek reimbursement for protecting shipping through the key oil and gas route.
“Based on highly productive conversations with Middle East leadership, I have decided to replace the 20% United States Reimbursement Fee with Trade and Investment Deals that the various Gulf States will be making into the United States,” Trump wrote on Truth Social on July 14.
He provided no details of commitments by Persian Gulf governments but said the investments would be “MASSIVE.”
Iran's military command had earlier said it would not allow the United States to “interfere” in the strait and warned Gulf neighbors against cooperating with Washington.
Trump said the strait would remain open to commercial traffic except vessels linked to Iran.
Washington would maintain a “FULL Blockade” on ships entering or leaving Iranian ports, or carrying Iranian cargo, he said.
The UN shipping agency had opposed imposing fees on vessels using international waterways.