On Thursday, the United States issued new sanctions targeting Iran due to ongoing “nuclear escalations,” according to a statement by U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken.
“Over the past month, Iran has announced steps to further expand its nuclear program in ways that have no credible peaceful purpose,” Blinken emphasized. “We remain committed to never letting Iran obtain a nuclear weapon, and we are prepared to use all elements of national power to ensure that outcome.”
In line with this commitment, the U.S. Department of State has imposed sanctions on three United Arab Emirates (UAE) companies involved in the transport of Iranian petroleum or petrochemical products. These measures fall under Executive Order (E.O.) 13846, aimed at curbing Iran’s ability to generate revenue from its energy sector.
The companies sanctioned are:
- Sea Route Ship Management FZE: This company, acting as the commercial manager of the vessel ASTRA (IMO 9162928), transported Iranian petrochemical products in late November 2021. Sea Route Ship Management FZE has been designated pursuant to section 3(a)(iii) of E.O. 13846 for knowingly engaging in significant transactions involving the transport of petrochemical products from Iran since November 5, 2018.
- Almanac Ship Management LLC: As the commercial manager of the vessel BERENICE PRIDE (IMO 9216559), this company facilitated the transport of Iranian petroleum products in late October 2022. Almanac Ship Management LLC is sanctioned under section 3(a)(ii) of E.O. 13846 for its involvement in significant transactions related to Iranian petroleum products post-November 5, 2018.
- Al Anchor Ship Management FZE: Managing the vessel PARINE (IMO 9257503), this company was involved in the transport of Iranian petroleum products in late October 2022. Al Anchor Ship Management FZE is similarly designated under section 3(a)(ii) of E.O. 13846 for significant transactions concerning Iranian petroleum products since November 5, 2018.
Additionally, the Department of State has identified 11 vessels associated with these entities as blocked property. The vessels are:
- ASTRA
- BALTIC HORIZON
- NILE
- YAMUNA
- BERENICE PRIDE
- HARMONY
- EURO VIKING
- EURO FORTUNE
- ARABIAN ENERGY
- PARINE
- ROAD
As a result of these actions, all property and interests in property of the sanctioned targets that are within the United States, or come under the possession or control of any U.S. persons, must be blocked and reported to the Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC). Furthermore, any entities owned 50 percent or more by one or more blocked persons are also blocked. OFAC’s regulations generally prohibit all dealings by U.S. persons or within the United States that involve any property or interests in property of blocked or designated persons.
These sanctions are part of a broader U.S. strategy to exert maximum pressure on Iran to curb its nuclear ambitions. By targeting entities that facilitate Iran’s petrochemical and petroleum exports, the U.S. aims to significantly reduce the revenue that Iran can channel into its nuclear program. This move underscores the U.S. commitment to preventing Iran from developing nuclear weapons and maintaining regional and global security.
