The US has imposed sanctions on eight entities engaged in Iranian petroleum and petrochemical trade as part of President Trump's 'maximum pressure campaign' on Iran. The sanctions aim to stem the flow of revenue used by the Iranian regime to fund destabilizing activities. The State Department listed the entities that will be sanctioned, and stated that all property and interests in property of the designated persons in the US or in possession or control of US persons are blocked. The goal of the sanctions is to bring about a positive change in behavior.