The Treasury Department sanctioned a Chinese oil refinery Friday, along with 40 shipping firms and vessels it believes are helping to sustain Iran's oil economy.

The department targeted the China-based independent teapot refinery Hengli Petrochemical Refinery Co., Ltd. in Dalian, China, claiming it was one of Iran’s largest customers for crude oil and other petroleum products.

The sanctions are part of the Trump administration's operation Economic Fury, which is part of its maximum pressure campaign against Iran.

“Economic Fury is imposing a financial stranglehold on the Iranian regime, hampering its aggression in the Middle East, and helping to curtail its nuclear ambitions,” Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said in a statement.  

“At President Trump’s direction, Treasury will continue to constrict the network of vessels, intermediaries, and buyers Iran relies on to move its oil to global markets," he continued. "Any person or vessel facilitating these flows—through covert trade and finance—risks exposure to U.S. sanctions.”

The oil vessels are believed to be part of a shadow fleet that transports oil for the Iranian regime. One of the vessels, owned by a China-based shipping company, has transported millions of barrels of Iranian high-sulfur fuel oil over the past few months alone.

Misty Severi is a news reporter for Just The News. You can follow her on X for more coverage.