The United States has imposed new sanctions on Iran's "shadow fleet." The sanctions target an individual and groups based in India and the United Arab Emirates whose ships have been transporting Iranian oil.
The US Treasury Department said that an Indian national based in the Emirates, Jugwinder Singh Brar, has been sanctioned. According to the Treasury, he owns a shipping company with a fleet of almost 30 ships.
"His vessels have been involved in the dangerous ship-to-ship transportation of Iranian oil in waters near Iraq, Iran, the United Arab Emirates and the Gulf of Oman," the Treasury said in a statement.
The sanctions also targeted two entities from the Emirates and two from India that own and operate the Brar vessels and that have transported Iranian oil on behalf of the National Iranian Oil Company and the Iranian military, the US Treasury said.
"The Iranian regime relies on its network of shippers and brokers, like Brar and his companies, to enable the sale of oil and finance its destabilizing activity," Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said.
The Treasury said the US remains focused on disrupting "all elements of Iranian oil exports," especially those who benefit from this trade.
United States President Donald Trump has said he aims to bring Iran's crude oil exports to zero. His country has previously targeted people and companies that facilitate the sale of millions of barrels of Iranian oil.
Iran's economy is heavily dependent on oil revenues, and as the US State Department stated on February 6, these revenues are used to finance "terrorist groups and networks of collaborators," referring to Iran's regional network of armed groups that oppose Israel and the US.
Under the 2015 nuclear deal between Iran and world powers, US sanctions were lifted, allowing Iran to sell oil. Trump withdrew from the deal in 2018 and reimposed sanctions that reduced exports to about 400,000 barrels per day.
Iran then increased exports by evading sanctions. Iran's "shadow fleet" of tankers has been essential to Tehran's ability to evade sanctions and secretly transport oil.
This includes ship-to-ship shipments, through intermediaries, hidden financial transactions, and the rebranding of oil to hide its Iranian origin and make it appear to come from another country.
These methods have allowed Iran to continue oil shipments and generate revenue despite sanctions./ REL (A2 Televizion)
A2 CNN Livestream
MUND TE LEXONI GJITHASHTU
