The U.S. sanctioned six entities for their role “in the transport or sale of Iranian petroleum products or petrochemical products… [and] 20 vessels as property or interests in property of these entities”.  Secretary of State Antony Blinken noted that “the U.S. is committed to significantly reducing Iranian energy exports… These designations underscore our continued efforts to enforce our sanctions against Iran. We will not hesitate to take action against those who try to circumvent our sanctions”. The same day, the Commerce Department imposed trade restrictions on six China-based entities for having “supplied and/or attempted to supply items subject to the Export Administration Regulations to… an [already-sanctioned Iranian] entity”.