WASHINGTON – On Friday, the Biden administration implemented new sanctions targeting Iran’s oil industry as a response to a significant missile strike from Tehran on Israel that took place last week.

The Treasury Department revealed that these sanctions aim at “the shadow fleet” of tankers and undercover operators involved in transporting Iranian petroleum exports, which violate current sanctions.

The new measures officially classify 10 entities across various jurisdictions and 17 ships as “blocked property” under a federal statute that permits the U.S. government to seize a company’s assets and properties in the country. According to the announcement, these targets are being sanctioned for their role in the transportation of Iranian oil and petrochemical goods.

Furthermore, the State Department stated it is also imposing sanctions on six additional companies and six vessels involved in the Iranian oil trade.

Jake Sullivan, the National Security Adviser at the White House, mentioned that these actions will further obstruct Iran’s access to funds, which are utilized for its missile initiatives and for backing terrorist organizations that pose threats to the U.S., its allies, and partners.

Sullivan indicated that the announcement was made in cooperation with U.S. allies, who are expected to unveil their own sanctions soon to hold Iran accountable for its aggression against Israel.

This announcement comes amidst escalating tensions in the Middle East, marking a year since the onset of the Israel-Hamas conflict.

On October 1, Iran fired nearly 200 ballistic missiles targeting various sites in Israel as retaliation for the assassination of Hassan Nasrallah, leader of the Iran-aligned militant group Hezbollah, in an airstrike in Beirut the previous month. Most of the missiles were intercepted with support from U.S. Navy destroyers positioned in the eastern Mediterranean. This recent attack marks Iran’s second offensive against Israel this year, the first occurring in April when it launched 300 missiles and drones.

Israel has vowed to retaliate, which raises concerns that a conflict initially between Israel and Hamas could escalate into a larger war affecting the whole region.

(This article has been updated with a new headline.)