The United States on Friday imposed sanctions on nine vessels of what is known as the shadow fleet and eight related firms, the US Treasury Department said in a statement, as Washington sought to escalate pressure on Iran over the recent killing of protesters. ADVERTISEMENT"Today’s sanctions target a critical component of how Iran generates the funds used to repress its own people. Trump had repeatedly threatened to intervene against Iran over the recent killings of protesters there, but protests dwindled last week and President Donald Trump's rhetoric regarding Iran has eased. The shadow fleet refers to ships that carry oil that is under sanctions. They are typically old, their ownership opaque and they sail without the top-tier insurance cover needed to meet international standards for oil majors and many ports.

Source: The Telegraph January 23, 2026 16:23 UTC