Middle East conflict/ US announces sanctions against Tehran in response to new attacks in the Strait of Hormuz

The United States has announced new sanctions against Iran in response to fresh attacks on international ships in the Strait of Hormuz.

According to a statement published earlier on the website of the US Treasury Department, the Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) has imposed sanctions on Iranian financial intermediary Ali Ansari, who, according to US authorities, manages a vast global network of assets that benefits Iran’s Supreme Leader, Mojtaba Khamenei, as well as other senior officials of the Iranian regime.

In its statement, the US Treasury Department said the decision was made following the resumption of Iranian attacks on international ships in the Strait of Hormuz, further intensifying economic pressure on Tehran.

At the same time, OFAC announced the issuance of General License Y (Iran General Licence Y), which provides exemptions or specific licenses for transactions related to the existing sanctions regime against Iran. It is understood that the details of the license were not specified in the initial announcement.