US Sanctions Target Iran's Weapons Procurement and Shadow Fleet

State Dept EB Bureau

Filed February 25th, 2026

Detected March 1st, 2026

Summary

The U.S. Department of State announced sanctions against individuals and entities in Iran, Türkiye, and the UAE involved in Iran's weapons procurement networks. Additionally, numerous shadow fleet vessels and their operators involved in transporting Iranian petroleum products were sanctioned.

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What changed

The U.S. government has imposed sanctions on multiple individuals and entities across Iran, Türkiye, and the United Arab Emirates for their involvement in Iran's ballistic missile and advanced conventional weapons procurement networks. The sanctions also target numerous "shadow fleet" vessels and their operators responsible for transporting significant volumes of Iranian petroleum and petrochemical products. These actions are taken under various Executive Orders, including those targeting proliferators of weapons of mass destruction and Iran's key economic sectors, and aim to disrupt the illicit funds supporting Iran's weapons programs and destabilizing activities.

Regulated entities, particularly those involved in international trade, energy, and finance, should review the designations to ensure compliance and avoid engaging with sanctioned parties. While specific compliance deadlines are not detailed in this statement, adherence to U.S. sanctions regimes is critical. Non-compliance can result in severe penalties, including financial sanctions and potential legal repercussions, as these designations aim to cut off revenue streams for Iran's military development and foreign proxy funding.

What to do next

Review the list of designated individuals and entities to ensure no business is conducted with them.
Assess current and future transactions for potential involvement with Iranian weapons procurement networks or shadow fleet operations.
Consult with legal counsel regarding compliance with U.S. sanctions regulations related to Iran.

Penalties

Penalties for non-compliance with U.S. sanctions can include financial sanctions and legal repercussions.

Source document (simplified)

Home Office of the Spokesperson Press Releases … Sanctions to Disrupt Iran’s Weapons Procurement Networks and Shadow Fleet hide

Sanctions to Disrupt Iran’s Weapons Procurement Networks and Shadow Fleet

Press Statement

Thomas "Tommy" Pigott, Principal Deputy Spokesperson

February 25, 2026

The United States is designating individuals and entities involved in multiple weapons procurement networks based in Iran, Türkiye, and the United Arab Emirates supporting the Iranian regime’s ballistic missile and advanced conventional weapons (ACW) development. We are also sanctioning numerous shadow fleet vessels and their owners or operators that have collectively transported hundreds of millions of dollars’ worth of Iranian petroleum, petroleum products, and petrochemical products.

The Iranian regime continues to mismanage its economy, with catastrophic consequences for its people, and prioritizes funding of foreign proxies and missiles over the basic needs of ordinary Iranians. Today’s sanctions target the illicit funds that the regime uses to advance its malign and destabilizing ends.

This action implements President Trump’s National Security Presidential Memorandum 2 by countering the Iranian regime’s aggressive development of missiles and other asymmetric and conventional weapons capabilities. It also denies the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps access to assets and resources that sustain its destabilizing activities. The nonproliferation designations today support the reimposition of United Nations restrictive measures and sanctions on Iran, which occurred as a direct result of the Iranian regime’s “significant non-performance” of its nuclear commitments.

The United States will continue to use all available means to expose, disrupt, and counter the Iranian regime’s ability to procure revenue to develop its weapons programs and fund its destabilizing behavior.

The Department of the Treasury’s action was taken pursuant to Executive Order (E.O.) 13382, which targets proliferators of weapons of mass destruction and their supporters, E.O. 13949, the Iran conventional arms authority, and E.O. 13902, which authorizes sanctions related to key sectors of Iran’s economy. For more information on today’s actions, please see the Department of the Treasury’s Press Release.