On 10 January 2020, the US State Department extended its sanctions under Executive Order 13876 to Shamkhani and seven other individuals, and “twenty-two entities and three vessels pursuant to Executive Order 13871” as well as a Chinese steel trading organization under the Freedom and Counter-Proliferation Act.On 20 February 2020, the US Treasury Department extended its sanctions again under Executive Order 13876 to Shamkhani amongst other individuals, following “the disqualification of several thousand electoral candidates by Guardian Council”.
He has faced allegations of corruption and scrutiny over connections of his family business interests. For example, U.S. sanctions have targeted entities linked to his network, especially around shipping and oil/trade networks. In June 2025, there were reports of an Israeli air strike targeting him; though initially claimed dead, sources confirmed that Shamkhani was wounded and hospitalized.
