The US imposes sanctions on nine vessels linked to Iran's secret fleet, aiming to disrupt its oil trade and support for terrorism.
The Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) of the U.S. Department of the Treasury has announced new sanctions targeting nine secret fleet vessels and their owners or management companies due to their connections with Iran. The sanctions are seen as the latest step against the 'secret fleet' structure aimed at circumventing sanctions to continue Iran's oil and other commercial activities.
U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent harshly criticized the Iranian government in a statement regarding the sanctions. Bessent described the economic policies of the Iranian regime as a 'self-immolation ritual,' stating:
'The Iranian regime is in a state of economic self-immolation; this process has accelerated with President Trump’s maximum pressure campaign. Tehran’s decision to support terrorists instead of its own people has led to a free fall of the Iranian currency and living conditions.'
Bessent emphasized that the sanctions announced today target the revenue sources used by the Iranian government to finance its internal repression policies.
According to the Treasury Secretary, the sanctions aim to cut off the revenues obtained through the 'secret fleet' established by Iran to circumvent sanctions, which predominantly uses flags from different countries. It is noted that these revenues are utilized by the Iranian government both in internal repression mechanisms and in supporting regional militias and armed groups.
The flag and registration information of the nine vessels included in the sanctions list also drew attention. According to the information shared by OFAC:
Four vessels are flagged under Palau.
Three vessels are registered in the Comoros Islands.
One vessel carries the flag of Panama.
One vessel does not have a recognizable flag.
U.S. officials state that such flag and registration changes are part of Iran's methods for secretly circumventing sanctions.
Under the new sanctions, all assets of the vessels connected to the U.S. are frozen, and U.S. individuals and entities are also prohibited from engaging in any commercial activities with the mentioned vessels, their owners, and management companies. The Washington administration emphasizes that it aims to render Iran's secret maritime transportation network completely dysfunctional.
Source: SeaNews Türkiye
