United States President Donald Trump signed an executive order imposing a 25% duty on “any country” that “directly or indirectly” purchases, imports, or acquires goods and services from Iran. Furthermore, Trump stated that the executive order may be modified in case foreign nations decide to retaliate against the new tariff. The measure comes amid Washington’s increased pressure against Iran and shortly after negotiations about the Middle Eastern country’s nuclear program in Oman. The new levy could affect nations such as China, a major importer of Iranian oil.
On February 6, 2026, the U.S. Treasury and State Department sanctioned 15 entities, 2 individuals, and 14 vessels for their involvement in shipping Iranian oil. This action targeted Iran’s “shadow fleet” and aimed to disrupt the funding of destabilizing activities. The sanctions focus on blocking these vessels and companies from facilitating Iranian oil exports. This move also highlights ongoing U.S. efforts to curtail Iran’s oil trade.
Here is the press release:
The Department of State is sanctioning 15 entities, two individuals, and 14 shadow fleet vessels connected to the illicit trade in Iranian petroleum, petroleum products, and petrochemical products. These targets have generated revenue that the regime uses to conduct its malign activities.
Instead of investing in the welfare of its own people and crumbling infrastructure, the Iranian regime continues to fund destabilizing activities around the world and step up its repression inside Iran.
So long as Iranian regime attempts to evade sanctions and generate oil and petrochemical revenues to fund such oppressive behavior and support terrorist activities and proxies, the United States will act to hold both the Iranian regime and its partners accountable.
The President is committed to driving down the Iranian regime’s illicit oil and petrochemical exports under the Administration’s maximum pressure campaign.
All Department of State targets are being designated pursuant to Executive Order (E.O.) 13846, which authorizes and reimposes certain sanctions with respect to Iran, and in furtherance of President Trump’s National Security Presidential Memorandum 2. For more information, please see the Department’s Fact Sheet and Treasury’s Press Releases.