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US targets Chinese refinery in sweeping Iran oil crackdown, sanctions ‘shadow fleet’ tankers
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The U.S. Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) on Friday sanctioned a major Chinese oil refinery and dozens of ships tied to Iran’s «shadow fleet,» escalating efforts to choke off Tehran’s main source of revenue.
Officials said in a press release the move targets Hengli Petrochemical, one of Iran’s largest oil buyers, along with a network of shipping companies and tankers responsible for transporting billions of dollars worth of petroleum products to foreign markets.
The Treasury Department identified these «shadow fleet» vessels as the financial lifeline for Iran’s «unstable regime.»
SECOND TANKER SEIZED NEAR VENEZUELA AS US ENFORCES OIL BLOCKADE
The crackdown is part of Economic Fury, a broader campaign to squeeze Iran’s economy by limiting its ability to sell oil abroad, revenue the U.S. says funds the regime’s military and destabilizing activities across the Middle East.
«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.
An oil tanker near the terminal at Kharg Island, Iran, as U.S. officials and analysts consider whether seizing the island could significantly impact Iran’s oil exports. (Ali Mohammadi/Bloomberg via Getty Images)
Hengli Petrochemical (Dalian) Refinery Co. is a China-based «teapot» refinery, a term used for independent facilities known for purchasing discounted crude, including from sanctioned countries.
The refinery, one of China’s largest independent facilities, has received Iranian oil cargoes from sanctioned shadow fleet vessels since at least 2023. Hengli has also purchased oil tied to Iran’s armed forces, generating hundreds of millions of dollars for the Iranian military.
Hengli has also received shipments tied to Sepehr Energy Jahan Nama Pars Company, a firm identified by U.S. officials as a front for Iran’s armed forces that helps facilitate oil sales abroad.
The company operates on behalf of Iran’s Armed Forces General Staff, using a network of intermediaries and vessels to move sanctioned crude, with proceeds helping fund the country’s military programs and regional proxy groups.
IRAN’S REMAINING WEAPONS: HOW TEHRAN CAN STILL DISRUPT THE STRAIT OF HORMUZ
The Iranian-flagged Touska cargo ship after U.S. forces launched missiles at its control room after its violation of the U.S. blockade in the Strait of Hormuz April 20, 2026. (U.S. Central Command )
The new sanctions also target the network that makes these oil sales possible, a «shadow fleet» of aging tankers and shell companies that move petroleum across global markets while evading sanctions and obscuring the origin of shipments.
These ships avoid detection by transferring cargo from one tanker to another in the open ocean. Treasury officials said 19 vessels were targeted in the action.
A U.S. military helicopter hovers over the sanctioned stateless crude oil tanker M/T Tifani during an interdiction April 21, 2026. (Department of War)
The move is part of the Trump administration’s renewed «maximum pressure» campaign against Iran, aimed at cutting off the regime’s primary source of revenue through oil exports and sanctions enforcement.
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U.S. officials say oil exports remain the backbone of Iran’s economy, and efforts to restrict those flows are designed to limit the government’s ability to fund its military, support proxy groups and advance its nuclear program.
Treasury officials warned that additional sanctions are likely as the U.S. continues targeting the networks, intermediaries and buyers that enable Iran to move oil on the global market.
iran, sanctions, economy, armed forces, nuclear proliferation, energy
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Patrimonio de los diputados de El Salvador queda completo tras una última declaración publicada por Hacienda
La divulgación de los activos y pasivos de todos los diputados propietarios de la Asamblea Legislativa de El Salvador quedó completada tras la publicación de la declaración patrimonial de Reinaldo Alcides Carballo Carballo, representante del Partido Demócrata Cristiano (PDC).
Con este registro, el sitio web del Ministerio de Hacienda proporciona información patrimonial de los 60 legisladores elegidos para el periodo 2024-2027, un hecho que marca el cierre de una etapa de transparencia institucional impulsada por exigencias internacionales y normativas anticorrupción.
El Ministerio de Hacienda habilitó el portal de activos y pasivos a finales de mayo, desde entonces se podían consultar las declaraciones de 58 de los 60 diputados propietarios. La incorporación de los datos de Carballo permite completar el listado de este órgano del Estado.
De acuerdo con los datos oficiales, el diputado Carballo, quien también ocupa el cargo de secretario general del PDC, declaró activos por $5,612,675.96 y pasivos por $1,470,414.36, lo que sitúa su patrimonio neto en $4,142,261.60, el más elevado entre los actuales miembros de la Asamblea Legislativa.
El funcionario lidera así la tabla patrimonial, por encima de figuras como Claudia Carolina Toledo de Morán, con un patrimonio de $1,887,000.00, y Reynaldo Antonio López Cardoza, con $1,606,880.07. Estos datos pueden consultarse abiertamente en el sitio del Ministerio de Hacienda, digitando el nombre completo del legislador y la institución correspondiente.
Otros diputados como el presidente de la Asamblea Legislativa, Ernesto Alfredo Castro Aldana, mantiene activos por $321,580 y pasivos por $89,205; es decir, tiene un patrimonio de $232,375. Mientras que la vicepresidenta legislativa, Suecy Beverley Callejas Estrada, tiene activos por $223,278 y pasivos por $172,813, reportando así un patrimonio de $50,465.
El listado completo, disponible en el portal gubernamental, muestra que la suma de activos de los 60 diputados asciende a $23,843,387, mientras que los pasivos llegan a $8,294,853. El patrimonio neto conjunto de la legislatura se ubica en $15,548,533.74.
El proceso de publicación de estos datos responde a compromisos internacionales y a la reciente legislación nacional. El Gobierno de El Salvador asumió, ante el Fondo Monetario Internacional (FMI), la obligación de robustecer la transparencia fiscal y el control del enriquecimiento ilícito. El acuerdo de Servicio Ampliado con el FMI, por $1,400 millones, incluyó entre sus condiciones la implementación de mecanismos como la divulgación patrimonial y la rendición de cuentas de los funcionarios.
En ese contexto, la Ley Especial de Combate a la Corrupción y Extinción de Dominio, aprobada por mayoría oficialista, estableció la obligación para todos los funcionarios de presentar declaraciones de activos y pasivos.
La normativa indica que el incumplimiento de este deber conlleva la destitución inmediata del cargo, además de posibles sanciones administrativas y penales para quienes falseen u oculten información. De acuerdo con el texto legal, la Superintendencia de Integridad y Ética Gubernamental es la entidad responsable de fiscalizar el cumplimiento y de trasladar eventuales irregularidades al Ministerio Público.
El avance en la transparencia patrimonial tiene antecedentes complejos. En 2020, el Instituto de Acceso a la Información Pública (IAIP) determinó que las adendas patrimoniales presentadas por los funcionarios serían consideradas confidenciales. A partir de esa decisión, la información sobre variaciones en el patrimonio de los funcionarios públicos quedó reservada.
Actualmente, la consulta de la información patrimonial de los diputados es directa: los interesados deben ingresar el nombre completo del legislador y la institución “Asamblea Legislativa” en el sistema digital oficial. Esta apertura permite conocer los bienes reportados de cada diputado propietario, aunque las adendas y justificaciones de incrementos patrimoniales permanecen fuera del alcance público.
La publicación de estos datos representa un paso relevante en materia de transparencia y control del patrimonio público en El Salvador. Con esta información patrimonial se consolida el cumplimiento de los compromisos asumidos ante el FMI por las autoridades salvadoreñas.
corresponsal:Desde San Salvador, El Salvador
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Reporter’s Notebook: GOP bets on fraud crackdown as economic woes surge ahead of midterms
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The GOP’s campaign message about a porous border resonated with voters in 2024. Voters routinely listed border security as the first or second most important issue to them in multiple polls ahead of the last election.
But how about ahead of the midterms?
Well, the border is sealed. The nation’s economic outlook is shaky as the war in Iran drags on. Gas prices are skyrocketing. And the hallmark of President Donald Trump’s legislative agenda — The One Big Beautiful Bill — hasn’t materialized as a campaign juggernaut.
HEALTHCARE, ECONOMY AND THE ‘ONE BIG BEAUTIFUL BILL’: WELCOME TO THE MIDTERMS
President Donald Trump speaks to the press in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington, D.C., on June 3, 2026. (Mandel Ngan/AFP)
So Republicans are seeking an issue they hope will connect with voters this fall.
They may have settled on fraud. And returned to a favorite old punching bag.
«I’m just going to give you a couple facts,» declared House Republican Conference Chairwoman Lisa McClain, R-Mich., at the GOP’s weekly press conference Wednesday morning. «The Biden Administration thought it was really important to spend $20 million for Sesame Street in the Middle East. They gave $8 million to make mice transgender.»
McClain continued about the Biden Administration providing «free housing and cars for illegals,» adding that «under Biden federal agencies handed out taxpayer dollars with weak oversight, loose control and almost no accountability.»
The government weaponization fund waylaid Congressional Republicans. They’re still trying to figure out what to shove into some sort of an economic package which they can pitch to the voters this fall. So for now, Republicans are focusing on fraud.
«Crazy says fraudsters should be protected. Crazy says the American people’s hard earned tax dollars should be given to criminals who are stealing their money. That’s crazy,» said McClain.
TRUMP SAYS ANTI-FRAUD EFFORTS ARE UNCOVERING BILLIONS IN WASTE, CLAIMS SAVINGS COULD BALANCE BUDGET
Rep. Lisa McClain, R-Mich., leaves a House Republican Conference meeting at the Capitol Hill Club on Feb. 28, 2023. (Tom Williams/CQ Roll Call)
House Republicans planned debate on three bills this week to root out fraud in government programs. One bill would enhance oversight over childcare block grants. Another bill would help prevent people from bilking a program which provides emergency aid to society’s most needy. A third measure would target «ghost students» and crack down on fraud in student aid programs.
«The integrity of the programs matter because the taxpayers are not going to support them when they’re filled up with fraud. And it doesn’t matter if it’s child care or SNAP. The American citizens want the fraud eliminated from the system,» argued Rep. Austin Scott, R-Ga.
Some Democrats found the anti-fraud message to be a little absurd.
«They’re not dealing with affordability. The President is saying he’s not concerned. Second, all of us are against fraud. I’ve yet to meet any politician who, when asked ‘Are you for fraud?’ says ‘Yes.» We’re all against it,» said Sen. Peter Welch, D-Vt.
Another Democrat believes Republicans are focusing on the wrong things with fraud.
«What I would love to see is an investigation of fraud and corruption involving the Trump administration, and the Trump family. There’s not a day that goes by that there’s another story about Trump kids benefiting from some government contract,» said Sen. Mark Warner, D-Va.
On Wednesday, Republicans launched a hearing probing alleged Medicaid fraud in Ohio. This came after they unearthed various forms of fraud in Minnesota. Rep. Brandon Gill, R-Texas, claims that bad actors from the Somali community operate in both states.
I’M OHIO’S STATE AUDITOR — MEDICAID FRAUD IS NOT JUST A WASHINGTON PROBLEM
Rep. Brandon Gill, R-Texas, leaves a House Republican Conference meeting in the U.S. Capitol on June 4, 2025. (Tom Williams/CQ-Roll Call, Inc via Getty Images)
«You’ve got the largest Somali population in the United States is in Minnesota. The second largest in the United States is in Ohio. Now, it’s not politically correct to say, but the reality is this fraud is coming predominantly from that community,» said Gill.
At the hearing, Gill charged that Somalis «are moving from Ohio to Minnesota and back to Ohio.» He added that «it certainly seems to have some overlap.»
Gill tangled with Democrat Ohio State Sen. Nickie Antonio.
«Would you like to see more immigration from Somalia?» Gill asked the state lawmaker.
«As far as I’m processing your question, I have to say that I was almost brought to tears just now,» replied Antonio.
The two yelled over one another.
«Seventy percent of Somali immigrants are on welfare,» said Gill.
«The rate and the level of hateful rhetoric is based on false information is shocking to me,» responded Antonio.
«They’re defrauding your state at an astounding rate. Most Ohioans have a problem with that,» piled on Gill.
But Antonio pushed back, arguing that Republicans have controlled key positions of power in the Buckeye State for the past 15 years.
«[Republicans] hold the House, the Senate, the governor’s office and four statewide offices. If there is fraud in Medicaid, it has happened on the Republican majority’s watch. Perhaps it’s time to clean Ohio’s house,» rebutted Antonio.
MINNESOTA FRAUD HEARING SPARKS IMMIGRATION CLASH AS GOP LAWMAKER SPOTLIGHTS SOMALI WELFARE DATA
House Majority Leader Steve Scalise, joined by House Majority Whip Tom Emmer and Speaker of the House Mike Johnson, holds a news conference after a House Republican Conference meeting at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C., on Jan. 13, 2026. (Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images)
A recent Fox poll found that more than 70 percent of those surveyed believe fraud is «very common» in government welfare programs. Since it’s an election year, Republicans hoped to dare Democrats to oppose their anti-fraud efforts when the bills hit the floor.
«For some of the Democrats who might vote against the fraud bills today, will you guys try to weaponize and boomerang those on members who vote no today?» yours truly asked House Majority Leader Steve Scalise, R-La.
«I think their own voters are going to be questioning that,» replied Scalise. «If Democrats vote no on that, it’s going to a hard vote to explain.»
House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, D-N.Y, opposed the GOP’s anti-fraud efforts. But he gave Democrats from battleground districts a wide berth to decide what to do.
«Democrats are going to make a decision based on what’s the right thing to do for the district that they represent. And I trust every single Democrat, particularly those who are in swing districts, to do the right thing for the people that they’re privileged to represent,» said Jeffries.
On Wednesday afternoon, the House passed the childcare fraud bill. Only four Democrats voted yea.
GOP MUST RACE FOR NEW ‘BIG, BEAUTIFUL BILL’ TO SLASH COSTS BEFORE MIDTERMS, TOP HOUSE REPUBLICANS WARN
Rep. Hakeem Jeffries holds a news conference at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C., on March 19, 2026. (Daniel Heuer/Bloomberg)
But Republicans yanked the bill focused on fraud in the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) bill. The reason? One senior House GOP leadership source said the bill lacked the votes and «needed a little work.» Another Republican source said attendance issues among Republicans might inhibit passage of the bill.
So what about the ghost student bills? Well, that measure was a legislative phantasm. The House didn’t conduct votes until Wednesday this week. The House then ghosted everyone on Friday, leaving the Capitol a day earlier than planned.
This trio of fraud measures are «messaging» bills in Congress. It’s doubtful that these plans will become law. But the leadership believes it’s important to «message» a subject like this to voters. And also point to votes where Democrats opposed such efforts.
But for all of the focus on fraud by House Republicans, they only managed to pass one of their three messaging bills this week.
That’s a .333 average. Baseball old-timers Paul Waner and Eddie Collins both boasted .333 batting averages for their career. They’re in the baseball Hall of Fame. But a .333 average isn’t Cooperstown-worthy on Capitol Hill.
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That said, Republicans will tee up several other anti-fraud measures next week. So there’s a reprieve. However, if the GOP doesn’t bat 1.000 on their fraud bills next week, some voters may designate them for assignment.
Or maybe ghost them at the polls.
politics, midterm elections, democrats elections, republicans, minnesota fraud exposed, bills
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