US ratchets up sanctions on Iranian oil trade as Trump mixes deal talk with ‘maximum pressure’

Treasury sanctions five tankers and an oil terminal in China, and issues new guidance seeking port bans for shadow fleet vessels

US treasury secretary Scott Bessent says any refinery, company or broker that buys Iranian oil or facilitates the trade is placing itself at serious risk.
US treasury secretary Scott Bessent says any refinery, company or broker that buys Iranian oil or facilitates the trade is placing itself at serious risk.Photo: Scanpix
Published 16 April 2025, 16:35Updated 20 April 2025, 19:06
USDonald TrumpSanctionsIran