Washington: The United States has announced a significant new package of sanctions targeting Iranian oil and petrochemical networks as part of its "maximum pressure" campaign. These measures are intended to systematically cut off the Iranian regime from critical revenue streams that fund its military activities and destabilize regional stability. According to Emirates News Agency, State Department Spokesperson Thomas Pigott emphasized that the latest actions are directed at Iran's 'illicit oil economy.' The sanctions specifically target key entities, individuals, and maritime vessels that are integral to Tehran's oil and petrochemical transport network. Pigott stated that the Department of State is imposing sanctions on eight entities and identifying eight vessels as blocked property due to their direct involvement in transporting Iranian petroleum and petrochemical products. Additionally, the Department has designated three entities and one individual closely linked to the trade and facilitation of these i llicit commodities. These measures build upon actions taken by the US Department of the Treasury, which targeted significant actors within an expansive Iranian oil sales network. This network reportedly moved millions of barrels of oil, utilizing front companies based in Hong Kong to manage clandestine storage, shipping, and sales operations. The US government has disclosed that these revenue networks fund the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) and the Armed Forces General Staff (AFGS), converting energy exports into financial resources that fuel regional instability in the Middle East. Pigott reiterated that the United States is prepared to take decisive action against any entity or jurisdiction that supports this illicit trade or enables the Iranian government's capacity to threaten neighboring nations and oppress its citizens. Engaging in transactions or providing material support to the Iranian energy sector carries a significant risk of exposure to US sanctions. Furthermore, the State Department' s Rewards for Justice Programme continues to offer a reward of up to $15 million for actionable information leading to the disruption of the financial mechanisms and illicit revenue streams supporting the IRGC and its global affiliates.