The Trump administration has imposed fresh sanctions targeting Iranian oil trading networks, including a crude oil storage terminal in China linked to an independent refinery, just days ahead of planned talks between the U.S. and Iran.
The sanctions specifically targeted Guangsha Zhoushan Energy Group Co Ltd, which operates a crude oil and petroleum products terminal located on Huangzeshan Island in Zhejiang Province, China. The U.S. State Department stated that the terminal knowingly engaged with oil from Iran and is connected to an independent refinery via the Huangzeshan-Yushan Under Sea Oil Pipeline.
The State Department emphasized that the terminal, though not a major player in Iranian oil, had acquired Iranian crude at least nine times between 2021 and 2025, including shipments from U.S. sanctioned vessels. The terminal has imported approximately 13 million barrels of Iranian crude oil, according to the department.
Although tanker tracking companies Vortexa and Kpler, along with trade sources, reported that the refinery has refrained from buying Iranian oil recently, the U.S. maintains that the refinery and its associated terminal play a significant role in the trade and processing of Iranian crude.
The U.S. sanctions package also included designations against UAE-based shipping magnate Jugwinder Singh Brar and several associated entities involved in high-risk ship-to-ship transfers of Iranian oil in the Gulf region. The sanctions block the U.S. assets of the designated individuals and entities, preventing Americans from engaging in business with them.
China's response to U.S. sanctions has been consistently critical. In response to a similar sanction last month on a Chinese refinery, a spokesperson from the Chinese embassy in Washington reiterated Beijing's opposition to "illegal and unjustifiable unilateral sanctions."
The latest sanctions follow U.S. President Donald Trump’s declaration of a "maximum pressure" campaign aimed at driving Iran’s oil exports to zero, a key component of his strategy to prevent Iran from developing nuclear weapons. Iran insists its nuclear program is intended for peaceful, civilian purposes.
While these sanctions will likely have an impact on the entities directly involved, sanctions expert Jeremy Paner pointed out that targeting Chinese banks or insurance groups would be more effective in pressuring Iran's oil trade. However, the U.S. appears to be maintaining a broader strategy to disrupt Iran's oil exports while keeping diplomatic channels open ahead of negotiations.
Air Canada is set to resume its flight services on 20 August, after a nearly four-day strike by its unionized flight attendants left more than 500,000...
Türkiye is stepping up as a key player in efforts to end the Russia-Ukraine war. President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, NATO chief Mark Rutte, and senior T...
Oil prices rose by about 2 percent on Wednesday after U.S. crude stockpiles fell far more than expected, while investors awaited the outcome of effort...
U.S. Navy tests of autonomous drone boats off California faced setbacks last month, with collisions and software glitches highlighting challenges in t...
The chief of staff of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said on Wednesday that work was underway on establishing the military component of secur...
Parisians express hope and support for Europe’s backing of Ukraine as President Zelenskyy prepares for talks with Trump and European leaders in Washington, believing that continued diplomatic efforts will help resolve the ongoing conflict.
Russia offered concessions on all five occupied Ukrainian regions during the Trump–Putin summit in Alaska, and the U.S. may provide direct security guarantees to Ukraine, a senior American envoy has said.
Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan defended the U.S.-brokered peace accord, saying it's “not a zero-sum game” and a step toward regional cooperation benefiting all, including Russia and Iran.
In a Fox News interview, President Ilham Aliyev said Azerbaijan’s transit deal with Armenia is “not against anyone” and marks the “final step toward peace,” while also addressing the 2024 downing of AZAL Flight 8243, demanding accountability and full compensation.
A powerful eruption at Japan’s Shinmoedake volcano sent an ash plume more than 3,000 metres high on Sunday morning, prompting safety warnings from authorities.
According to the German Research Centre for Geosciences (GFZ), a magnitude 5.7 earthquake struck the Oaxaca region of Mexico on Saturday.
The UK is gearing up for Exercise Pegasus 2025, its largest pandemic readiness test since COVID-19. Running from September to November, this full-scale simulation will challenge the country's response to a fast-moving respiratory outbreak.
Honduras has brought back mask mandates as COVID-19 cases and a new variant surge nationwide.
Kuwait says oil prices will likely stay below $72 per barrel as OPEC monitors global supply trends and U.S. policy signals. The remarks come during market uncertainty fueled by new U.S. tariffs on India and possible sanctions on Russia.
Texas Republicans approved a Trump-backed congressional map aimed at flipping five Democratic-held U.S. House seats, ending a two-week Democratic walkout that temporarily blocked the measure.
North Korean leader Kim Jong Un praised the country’s troops fighting alongside Russia in Ukraine, calling them “heroic” and reaffirming Pyongyang’s support for Moscow.
Hurricane Erin, now a Category 5 storm, is moving north in the Atlantic and is expected to bring dangerous surf, storm surge, and tropical storm conditions to the U.S. East Coast, including North Carolina’s Outer Banks.
Oil prices rose by about 2 percent on Wednesday after U.S. crude stockpiles fell far more than expected, while investors awaited the outcome of efforts to end the conflict in Ukraine, with sanctions on Russian oil still in place.
U.S. Navy tests of autonomous drone boats off California faced setbacks last month, with collisions and software glitches highlighting challenges in the Pentagon’s push to develop a fleet of unmanned maritime vessels.
You can download the AnewZ application from Play Store and the App Store.
What is your opinion on this topic?
Leave the first comment