The U.S. Treasury Department has sanctioned 13 shipping companies and eight oil tankers linked to the Iranian regime, in an effort to counter Tehran’s attempts to evade Washington’s sanctions.
On Thursday, August 21, the U.S. Treasury issued an official statement adding Antonios Margaritis, a Greek national, along with several shipping companies based in Hong Kong, the United Arab Emirates, the Marshall Islands, and the United Kingdom, to the list of entities sanctioned in connection with Iran.
Scott Bessent, the U.S. Treasury Secretary, stated: “Today’s action against Margaritis and his network degrades Tehran’s ability to fund its advanced weapons programs, support terrorist groups, and threaten the safety of our troops and our allies.”
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He added:”Under the leadership of President Trump, Treasury remains determined to hold accountable all those who seek to aid the Iranian regime and threaten global security.”
Which Companies Were Sanctioned?
Among the sanctioned firms are Rose Shipping, Ozarka Shipping (based in Dubai), Hong Kong Hangshun Shipping, Marant Shipping and Trading, and U Beacon Shipping.
Additionally, several Chinese companies were also targeted by U.S. sanctions.
Furthermore, several oil tankers, including KATSUYA, Sondos, and VICTORY ARI, were added to the U.S. sanctions list due to their connections with these shipping companies.
These sanctions freeze all assets under U.S. jurisdiction and prohibit any transactions with American individuals or entities.
The Treasury Department further announced that the names of several Belarus-linked companies, including Dana Holding, and Nebojsa Karic, a Serbian-Cypriot national, were removed from the sanctions list.
According to the department, this move is part of the ongoing update of U.S. sanctions against the Iranian regime and its allies in the energy and shipping sectors.
On August 7, the U.S. also sanctioned 18 individuals and entities tied to the Iranian regime for their central role in helping Tehran generate revenue and evade Washington’s sanctions.
According to the Treasury, faced with severe financial restrictions due to international isolation, the Iranian regime has engineered complex banking schemes and alternative payment systems specifically designed to circumvent sanctions and safeguard its ability to collect export revenues, especially from illegal oil sales.
On July 30, the U.S. also sanctioned Hossein Shamkhani, son of Ali Shamkhani (a senior regime official and former secretary of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council), along with part of his “vast shipping empire.”
This package targeted 50 individuals and entities, as well as more than 50 ships, marking the largest U.S. sanctions action against the Iranian regime since 2018.
