The United States imposed new sanctions aimed at stepping up efforts to disrupt an Iranian shipping network that Washington says helps evade previous sanctions on oil sales and other activities.

The US Treasury Department said the measures against the network of Mohammad Hossein Shamkhani represent its latest efforts to intensify economic pressure on Tehran.

The Treasury added that Shamkhani's network is "a major force behind Iran's oil exports, and has expanded to encompass global container shipping and commodities trading," according to Reuters.

US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said his department "is working to disrupt the financial infrastructure that allows the regime to continue its threats to US national security and global shipping."

These measures add to sanctions imposed by the United States in April and last year, and according to the department, the US now sanctions more than 200 individuals, entities, and ships operating under Shamkhani's umbrella.

The sanctions issued by the US Treasury Department targeted individuals, entities, and ships, but allowed a gradual wind-down of some activities and restricted transactions related to safety, environment, and discharging of shipments related to sanctioned individuals and ships.

The sanctions include freezing of assets in the United States for listed individuals and entities, and prohibiting Americans from engaging in business transactions with them.

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