Washington, July 15 -- In a significant expansion of Washington's intensified economic offensive against Tehran, the United States has penalised over 50 individuals, enterprises, and maritime vessels suspected of involvement in an unlawful Iranian oil transportation and sanctions-circumvention ring.

The punitive measures, declared by the US Department of the Treasury's Office of Foreign Assets Control, specifically focus on the maritime trade operations controlled by Iranian energy tycoon Mohammad Hossein Shamkhani.

The enforcement action blacklists six people, including Asghar Aghili Dehkordi and Behzad Moghadas, alongside 24 corporate entities and 20 maritime vessels.

US authorities have accused the targets of enabling the circumvent...