French residents hold Iranian flags as they gather in support of protesters in Iran in front of the Eiffel Tower in Paris, on Jan. 4. On Friday, the U.S. Department of Treasury announced sanctions on nine “shadow fleet” ships and their owners, who transport Iranian oil. Photo by Maya Vidon-White/UPI. | License Photo
The U.S. Department of Treasury announced new sanctions on ships deemed to be part of Iran’s “shadow fleet” of illegal oil ships.
Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control is targeting nine shadow fleet ships and their owners or management firms that have moved hundreds of millions of dollars’ of Iranian oil and petroleum products to foreign markets, a press release said.
“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,” the release said.
Iran has been embroiled in unrest as Iranians have protested the government due to a falling currency value and high prices.
The Human Rights Activists News Agency reported Thursday that Iran has executed 5,002 people during the protests. Dozens of them were children.
In response, President Donald Trump said Friday he’s sending a U.S. “armada” to Iran.
“I’d rather not see anything happen but we’re watching them very closely,” Trump said. “We have an armada heading in that direction, and maybe we won’t have to use it.”
The vessels being sanctioned are: Sea Bird, Avon, Al Diab II, Cesaria, Longevity 7, Eastern Hero, Aqua Spirit, Chiron 5 and Keel.
The companies sanctioned are: 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.
“Today’s sanctions target a critical component of how Iran generates the funds used to repress its own people,” said Secretary of the Treasury Scott Bessent in a statement. “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.”
