- Washington targets shipping firms and oil tankers.
- Greek national Antonios Margaritis named in network probe.
- China-based operators penalised for handling Iranian crude.
The United States and the United Kingdom have rolled out a fresh set of sanctions aimed at Iran’s shipping networks, oil tankers, and companies accused of illegally transporting crude oil in defiance of international regulations, reports Marine Insight.
US Targets Shipping Companies and Vessels
According to the U.S. Treasury Department, 13 entities based in Hong Kong, China, the UAE, and the Marshall Islands were sanctioned on Thursday, along with eight vessels. A Greek national, Antonios Margaritis, was also identified for operating a network of companies and ships involved in the transportation of Iranian oil. Among those hit with U.S. sanctions are Ares Shipping Limited in Hong Kong, Hong Kong Hangshun Shipping Limited, and Comford Management in the Marshall Islands. The tankers added to the sanctions list include the Panama-flagged Adeline G and Kongm, as well as the Lafit, which sails under the flag of São Tomé and Príncipe.
China-Based Operators Sanctioned
In addition, the U.S. State Department has taken action against two operators in China that manage oil terminals and storage facilities. Officials noted that these companies were involved in handling imports of Iranian crude transported by tankers that had already been blacklisted. The sanctioned firms are Qingdao Port Haiye Dongjiakou Oil Products Co in Shandong and Yangshan Shengang International Petroleum Storage and Transportation Co in Zhejiang.
UK Imposes Measures Against Iranian Businessman
The UK has taken a firm stance by imposing sanctions on Iranian oil mogul Mohammad Hossein Shamkhani, along with four companies involved in shipping, petrochemicals, and finance. According to the UK Foreign Office, these sanctions entail freezing assets and enforcing a travel ban.
Officials have accused Shamkhani of being part of a network that supports Tehran’s overseas operations, which they claim include destabilising activities in Ukraine and Israel. Middle East Minister Hamish Falconer stated, Iran’s reliance on such trading networks has enabled it to support proxy groups in the region and even pose threats within the UK.
In response, the Iranian embassy in London condemned the sanctions, labelling them as “unilateral and illegal measures” based on “baseless allegations.” Shamkhani, whose father serves as an adviser to Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, was unavailable for comment.
Previous Sanctions Against Shamkhani
Last month, the U.S. had already imposed sanctions on Shamkhani, asserting that he oversees a network of container ships and oil tankers through intermediaries that distribute Iranian and Russian oil and other goods globally. The European Union also placed him on their blacklist in July.
UK Lawmakers Warn of Iran Threat
British lawmakers have issued warnings about the increasing threat posed by Iran. Their assessment suggests that Iran’s activities could encompass physical attacks, assassination attempts on dissidents and Jewish communities, espionage, cyber operations, and efforts to advance nuclear weapons development. Iran has dismissed these accusations as unfounded, politically motivated, and hostile.
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Source: Marine Insight
