‘Mafia-Like Structure’ – US Sanctions Hit Iran’s Oil Trade, Top Official's Son

These actions mark the eleventh round of sanctions specifically targeting Iranian oil sales since the Trump administration initiated its aggressive containment policy in February 2025. The move is welcomed by Iran watchers in Washington, such as Jason Brodsky, policy director at United Against Nuclear Iran (UANI), a non-profit organization dedicated to countering threats posed by the Islamic regime. UANI had publicly advocated for sanctions against Hossein Shamkhani as early as February 2024. Speaking to the Kyiv Post Wednesday afternoon, Brodsky asserted that the designations “underscore the corrupt mafia-like structure of the Iranian regime whereby regime officials and their families profit off of illicit wealth stolen from the Iranian people to undermine American security and enrich themselves.” He suggested that these measures “will counter the ability of the Iranian regime to rebuild after Operations Rising Lion and Midnight Hammer,” referring to specific unnamed operations. Brodsky further highlighted what he described as the “corruption of the Shamkhani family,” adding: “This is only the tip of the iceberg. Public reports suggest Ali Shamkhani, Hossein’s father and a top advisor to the supreme leader, was bribed by the Zindashti drug cartel. Zindashti has been carrying out attempts to harm US and European nationals in coordination with Iran’s Intelligence Ministry,” he said. “These sanctions were long overdue,” Brodsky concluded.