US targets Khamenei adviser’s son in major Iran sanctions move

The United States on Wednesday imposed sweeping new sanctions on over 115 individuals, entities, and vessels linked to Iran, in what officials described as the most significant move targeting Tehran’s economy since 2018.

The new sanctions specifically target the shipping network of Mohammad Hossein Shamkhani, the son of Ali Shamkhani, an adviser to Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who was sanctioned by the US in 2020. According to the Treasury Department, Shamkhani controls a sprawling fleet of over 50 tankers and container ships used to move Iranian and Russian oil across the globe.

The sanctions hit 15 shipping companies, 52 vessels, 12 individuals, and 53 entities across 17 countries, including Panama, Italy, and Hong Kong. Officials say the network has generated tens of billions of dollars, propping up the Iranian regime through corruption and sanctions evasion.

“The Shamkhani family’s shipping empire highlights how regime elites exploit their positions to amass vast wealth and fund Iran’s destabilizing behavior,” said Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent. State Department spokesperson Tammy Bruce added that the sanctions aim to disrupt Iran’s ability to finance its nuclear program, support militant groups, and suppress internal dissent.

Deputy Treasury Secretary Michael Faulkender emphasized the action was narrowly targeted and not expected to cause lasting disruption to global oil markets. “This is about shutting down Iran’s illicit oil smuggling—much of which flows to China,” he said.

At the start of 2025, Iran was exporting around 1.8 million barrels of oil per day. That number has now fallen to approximately 1.2 million, following several smaller sanctions rounds earlier this year. US officials say further steps are being considered to drive exports even lower.

Wednesday’s sanctions come on the heels of US airstrikes in June that reportedly crippled several Iranian nuclear facilities. President Donald Trump warned earlier this week that any Iranian effort to restart those programs would prompt immediate military retaliation.

Trump accused Iran of sending “nasty signals” and reiterated that his administration would not tolerate renewed nuclear activity. While Washington has expressed openness to diplomacy, European and Iranian officials say talks are unlikely to resume soon.

Iran has denied seeking nuclear weapons, while some analysts have questioned the extent of the damage caused by the US airstrikes. The European Union also sanctioned Mohammad Hossein Shamkhani earlier this month for his role in facilitating Russian oil trade.

US officials insisted the focus of the new measures is Iran, despite some overlap with Russia-related sanctions. “Given this individual’s ties to the Supreme Leader and past sanctions on his father, this is a critical Iran-focused action with significant impact,” a senior official said.