US imposes sanctions targeting 17 vessels of Iran’s ‘shadow fleet’

WASHINGTON, Oct 8 (Reuters) - The US imposed fresh sanctions on Iran on Thursday, targeting individuals, networks and 17 vessels for transportingIranian crude, oil products and petrochemicals, the Treasury Department said, as Washington stepped up economic pressure on Tehran. US treasury secretary Scott Bessent said the sanctions aim to deprive Tehran of the funds needed to 'wage war in the region'. (EPA Images pic)WASHINGTON: The United States imposed sanctions Thursday targeting "the remnants of Iran's shadow fleet" of tankers used to transport oil products to foreign markets -- the latest move to ramp up pressure in its war against Tehran."Today's action effectively neutralises the vast majority of Iran's remaining shadow fleet network," the US treasury department said in a statement.The aim is to deprive Tehran of funds needed to "wage war in the region", added treasury secretary Scott Bessent.Thursday's move takes aim at 17 vessels said to have moved millions of barrels of Iranian crude oil, alongside petroleum and petrochemical products, to markets across South and East Asia.The treasury department designated companies that own these vessels, accusing them of operating in the petroleum or petrochemical sectors of the Iranian economy.Bessent previously vowed an "Economic D-Day" on Tehran.US-Israel strikes targeting Iran since late February, killing its supreme leader, have sparked Tehran's retaliation and a war that has engulfed the region.The sanctions were announced shortly after president Donald Trump on Thursday ruled out further military attacks on Iran before the US midterm elections on November 3, saying Washington was holding "productive discussions" with Tehran.