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U.S. Targets Iran’s “Shadow Fleet” with New Sanctions Amidst Widespread Unrest
Washington D.C. – The U.S. Department of the Treasury has announced a new round of sanctions aimed at disrupting Iran’s illicit oil trade, targeting what it describes as a “shadow fleet” of vessels used to transport Iranian oil and petroleum products to global markets. This move comes as Iran grapples with ongoing protests and economic instability.
The Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) has specifically identified nine ships and their associated owners or management firms. These entities are accused of facilitating the movement of hundreds of millions of dollars’ worth of Iranian oil, revenue that the U.S. claims is diverted from the Iranian people to fund “regional terrorist proxies, weapons programs, and security services.”
“This revenue, which rightfully belongs to the Iranian people, is instead diverted to fund its regional terrorist proxies, weapons programs, and security services, instead of the basic economic services the Iranian people have bravely demanded,” a press release from the Treasury stated.
The sanctions arrive amidst a backdrop of severe civil unrest in Iran, with citizens protesting against a declining currency value and soaring prices. Reports from the Human Rights Activists News Agency indicate a dire situation, with over 5,000 individuals reportedly executed during the protests, including dozens of children.
In a related development, former President Donald Trump on Friday announced the deployment of a U.S. “armada” towards Iran, stating, “I’d rather not see anything happen but we’re watching them very closely. We have an armada heading in that direction, and maybe we won’t have to use it.”
The vessels now under sanction include the Sea Bird, Avon, Al Diab II, Cesaria, Longevity 7, Eastern Hero, Aqua Spirit, Chiron 5, and Keel. Additionally, the following companies have been sanctioned: Horizon Harvest Shipping LLC; Aayat Ship Management Private Limited; Black Stone Oil and Gas; Galeran Service Corp.; Longevity Shipping Limited; Odyssey Marine Inc.; Benoil Shipping Inc.; and Trade Bridge Global Inc.
Secretary of the Treasury Scott Bessent emphasized the significance of these actions, stating, “Today’s sanctions target a critical component of how Iran generates the funds used to repress its own people. As previously outlined, Treasury will continue to track the tens of millions of dollars that the regime has stolen and is desperately attempting to wire to banks outside of Iran.”