Archive · 3 Jul 2025
US Sanctions Target Iran Oil Smuggling and Hezbollah-Linked Finance
The U.S. government has placed restrictions on certain groups and individuals.
One is a network that has been secretly mixing Iranian oil with Iraqi oil and selling it to other countries to get around existing rules.
This network is led by Salim Ahmed Said.
The U.S. also sanctioned a financial institution that is connected to Hezbollah.
This action is intended to stop them from getting access to money that supports their activities.
The U.S. is putting financial pressure on Iran because of its nuclear program and its support of militant groups in the Middle East.
The U.S. imposed sanctions on a network smuggling Iranian oil disguised as Iraqi oil and on a Hezbollah-controlled financial institution.
The network, run by Salim Ahmed Said, has been blending Iranian oil with Iraqi oil since at least 2020.
Said's company, VS Tankers, based in the UAE, is involved in smuggling oil for the Iranian government and the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps.
The sanctions block U.S. assets of those designated and prohibit Americans from doing business with them.
The Treasury Department also sanctioned officials and an entity associated with Hezbollah-controlled Al-Qard Al-Hassan.
- Who
- The U.S. Treasury Department sanctioned a network led by Salim Ahmed Said and officials linked to Hezbollah's Al-Qard Al-Hassan.
- What
- The U.S. imposed sanctions on entities involved in Iranian oil smuggling and on a Hezbollah-controlled financial institution.
- When
- Thursday
- Where
- U.S.
- Why
- To disrupt Iran's access to financial resources and to hinder Hezbollah's financial operations.
- Sanctioned Entities
- Oil smuggling network, VS Tankers, Al-Qard Al-Hassan
- Led by
- Salim Ahmed Said
- Involved in
- Smuggling Iranian oil disguised as Iraqi oil
- Sanctioned due to
- Iran's nuclear program, support for militant groups
- Financial Institution
- Al-Qard Al-Hassan
- VS Tankers location
- UAE
