The United States has imposed sanctions targeting “the remnants of Iran’s shadow fleet” of tankers used to transport oil products to foreign markets — the latest move to ramp up pressure in its war against Tehran, AFP reports.

“Today’s action effectively neutralises the vast majority of Iran’s remaining shadow fleet network,” the US Treasury Department says in a statement.

Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent says the aim is to deprive Tehran of funds needed to “wage war in the region”.

Seventeen vessels have been targeted, which are said to have moved millions of barrels of Iranian crude oil, alongside petroleum and petrochemical products, to markets across South and East Asia.

The Treasury Department has designated the companies that own these vessels, accusing them of operating in the petroleum or petrochemical sectors of the Iranian economy.