The U.S. State Department said on Friday it was taking action to dismantle what it described as a sophisticated network that used deception and intermediary companies to obtain advanced equipment for Iran’s defense sector in violation of American sanctions.

According to State Department spokesperson Tommy Pigott, the network allegedly defrauded dozens of U.S. technology firms and secured millions of dollars’ worth of equipment, including spectrum analyzers and security detection devices with potential military applications.

U.S. officials said the operation relied on fraudulent websites designed to resemble legitimate American companies. The network allegedly used intermediaries in Dubai to receive shipments before transferring the equipment to Iran, circumventing existing sanctions restrictions.

The State Department identified Ali Majd Sepehr as the individual leading the network. Officials did not disclose the names of the affected American companies or provide details on the quantity of technology allegedly transferred.

The sanctions announcement comes as Washington increases efforts to disrupt financial and logistical channels linked to Iran’s military establishment. On Thursday, the State Department offered a reward of up to $15 million for information leading to the disruption of financial mechanisms associated with the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps and its affiliated branches.

The move also coincides with high-stakes diplomatic discussions between Washington and Tehran aimed at ending the conflict that began earlier this year. The White House said on Friday that President Donald Trump would approve an agreement only if it fully satisfies U.S. requirements, underscoring uncertainty surrounding the negotiations.

The latest sanctions signal that the United States intends to maintain economic and legal pressure on Iran’s defense procurement networks even as diplomatic efforts continue.

U.S. Central Command said the vessel, identified as the Sevan, was intercepted by a Navy helicopter launched from the guided-missile destroyer USS Pinckney during operations aimed at enforcing restrictions on Iranian oil and gas shipments.

The military described the Sevan as part of a 19-vessel “shadow fleet” accused of transporting Iranian petroleum products, including oil, propane and butane, to foreign markets in violation of U.S. sanctions.

According to Central Command, the ship complied with orders to reverse course and is now heading back toward Iran under U.S. escort.The interception marks the latest maritime enforcement action under a U.S.-led blockade intended to restrict Iranian energy exports and reduce revenue flows to Tehran amid heightened regional tensions.

U.S. officials said the targeted fleet had been sanctioned by the United States Department of the Treasury for facilitating the transport of billions of dollars’ worth of Iranian energy products through covert shipping networks often involving opaque ownership structures and flag changes.

“These vessels are part of a sanctions evasion network designed to conceal the origin and destination of Iranian exports,” Central Command said in its statement.Since the start of the blockade, the U.S. military said 37 vessels have been redirected, reflecting an expanded effort to enforce sanctions through direct maritime interdiction rather than financial restrictions alone.

The Arabian Sea has become a focal point for such operations due to its strategic role in shipping routes connecting the Gulf, South Asia and global energy markets.Washington has increased pressure on Iranian oil exports as part of broader efforts to constrain Tehran’s regional influence and funding channels, particularly amid ongoing instability across the Middle East and heightened tensions involving U.S. forces in the region.

Iran has repeatedly criticized U.S. maritime sanctions enforcement as unlawful and has accused Washington of disrupting freedom of navigation and international trade.

The latest interception comes as scrutiny of tanker movements linked to Iran has intensified, with governments and shipping regulators monitoring so-called shadow fleets used to bypass sanctions through ship-to-ship transfers and concealed cargo documentation.

No injuries or military confrontation were reported during the interception of the Sevan, and Central Command did not specify the vessel’s final destination before it was ordered to turn back.

The suspect, identified as Shamim Mafi, is accused of brokering deals involving drones, bombs, bomb fuses and large quantities of ammunition between Iranian entities and the Sudanese Armed Forces, according to statements by U.S. Attorney Bill Essayli.

Mafi, an Iranian national who became a lawful permanent resident of the United States in 2016, was taken into custody on Saturday night and is scheduled to appear in federal court in Los Angeles on Monday. Authorities said it was not immediately clear whether she had secured legal representation.

A criminal complaint filed on March 12 alleges that Mafi and an unnamed associate operated a company based in Oman, Atlas International Business, which prosecutors say was used to channel arms transactions. The firm reportedly received more than $7 million in payments in 2025 linked to these activities.

Court documents also allege that Mafi helped arrange the sale of 55,000 bomb fuses to Sudan’s Ministry of Defense and submitted a letter of intent to Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps to procure the materials.If convicted, Mafi could face a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison.

The case comes amid Sudan’s protracted civil war, now in its fourth year, which has triggered a severe humanitarian crisis marked by widespread displacement and acute shortages of food and basic supplies.

Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said the administration had cautioned governments and banks that continued transactions involving Iranian oil could trigger punitive measures. “If you are buying Iranian oil, that if Iranian money is sitting in your banks, we are now willing to apply secondary sanctions,” he told reporters at the White House.

The warning comes as the U.S. enforces a naval blockade on Iran that began earlier this week, with officials saying they expect the move to curb purchases by key buyers, particularly China, which has accounted for the majority of Iran’s seaborne oil exports.

Bessent said the Treasury had contacted two Chinese banks, warning that they could face sanctions if evidence shows Iranian funds moving through their systems. China’s embassy in Washington did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

Separately, the U.S. Treasury announced sanctions targeting Iran’s oil transportation network, including more than two dozen individuals, companies and vessels, as part of a broader effort to disrupt the country’s energy exports.

The measures follow the administration’s decision not to renew a 30-day sanctions waiver issued on March 20 that had allowed Iranian oil shipments already at sea to reach global markets.

The waiver, which Bessent said facilitated the delivery of about 140 million barrels, is set to expire on April 19.Washington has also allowed a similar waiver covering Russian oil shipments to lapse, reinforcing its broader sanctions enforcement strategy.

U.S. officials said letters had been sent to jurisdictions including China, Hong Kong, the United Arab Emirates and Oman, identifying financial institutions allegedly linked to Iranian transactions and warning of potential enforcement actions.

The steps are part of what the administration has described as a “maximum pressure” campaign aimed at curbing Iran’s oil revenues and limiting its ability to finance regional activities.

The move reflects a broader approach that places sanctions enforcement and financial pressure at the center of Washington’s engagement with Caracas, while keeping military options in reserve as a deterrent rather than a first response.

Senior officials have indicated that the objective of the policy is to restrict revenue streams that sustain the Venezuelan government, encouraging political and economic reforms through sustained international pressure.

By concentrating on maritime interdiction linked to sanctioned oil shipments, the administration aims to strengthen the effectiveness of existing sanctions and ensure they are applied consistently and credibly.

The strategy underscores a preference for non-kinetic tools in achieving geopolitical goals, aligning economic statecraft with international regulatory mechanisms and multilateral expectations.

Officials have emphasized that the approach is designed to avoid unnecessary escalation, focusing instead on controlled enforcement actions that reinforce diplomatic messaging.

The United States has expanded its naval and security presence in the Caribbean to support monitoring and compliance efforts, reinforcing the seriousness of the sanctions regime without framing it as an act of war.

This presence also reflects long-standing commitments to regional security, counter-narcotics operations, and maritime stability, which remain integral to U.S. policy in the hemisphere.

Interdictions of sanctioned vessels have been presented as lawful enforcement actions aimed at upholding international sanctions rather than targeting the Venezuelan population.

U.S. policymakers have stressed that humanitarian considerations remain central, with exemptions and channels maintained for essential goods and humanitarian assistance.

The quarantine approach draws on historical precedents where calibrated economic pressure was used to shape outcomes while preserving diplomatic space for negotiation.

Officials believe that sustained enforcement could encourage constructive dialogue and meaningful concessions, reducing the likelihood of prolonged instability.

At international forums, the United States has reiterated its position that sanctions enforcement is a legitimate tool to promote accountability and responsible governance.

The policy also reflects coordination across government agencies, combining defense capabilities, coast guard operations, and diplomatic engagement into a unified strategy.

Observers note that the emphasis on economic tools demonstrates a broader shift toward modern pressure mechanisms that rely on financial systems and trade controls.

By clearly articulating its focus, the administration aims to provide predictability to allies and partners involved in maritime trade and regional security.

The strategy sends a signal that compliance with international norms remains a cornerstone of U.S. foreign policy, supported by measured enforcement actions.

While challenges remain, officials express confidence that sustained economic pressure can create incentives for peaceful resolution and political transition.

The administration continues to frame the policy as time-bound and outcome-oriented, leaving room for reassessment based on developments on the ground.

Overall, the approach highlights Washington’s intent to pursue stability through pressure balanced with restraint, emphasizing long-term regional security and diplomatic solutions.