The United States government has taken strong action against a network of companies and individuals involved in transporting millions of barrels of Iranian oil to China. On Thursday, the US Department of Treasury announced sanctions against several firms and people, including an Indian company and an Indian citizen, for their role in this operation.
These sanctions are part of the United States’ efforts to cut off funding to Iran, which the US accuses of using oil revenues to build nuclear weapons, develop advanced missiles, and support dangerous activities in the Middle East.
Why Did the US Impose These Sanctions?
The US government has been closely monitoring networks that help Iran sell its oil despite international restrictions. This network involved companies and individuals from several countries, including China, India, and the United Arab Emirates (UAE). According to the US Treasury Department, the oil shipments generated hundreds of millions of dollars, which were sent to Iran’s Armed Forces General Staff. This group oversees many of Iran’s military operations, which the US says threaten peace and security.
US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent explained that the Iranian government uses money from these oil sales to develop nuclear weapons, create deadly drones and missiles, and support terrorist groups. In a public statement, Bessent said, “The United States is committed to aggressively targeting any attempt by Iran to secure funding for these malign activities.”
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The sanctions target individuals, ships, and companies involved in this network. This includes crew management firms that provided workers for vessels transporting Iranian oil.
Indian Company and National Sanctioned
Among those targeted by the US sanctions is an Indian company called Marshal Ship Management Private Limited. The company offers shipping and crew services and manages over 100 ships worldwide, employing more than 3,000 crew members.
According to the US Treasury, Marshal Ship Management played a key role in helping Iran by supplying crew members to ships that transported Iranian oil. These crew members reportedly helped a sanctioned Iranian company, Sepehr Energy, falsify shipping documents to hide the origin of the oil. Such false documents were then presented to port authorities to avoid detection.
The sanctions also mention a specific vessel called “SIRI,” which was previously known as “Anthea.” The ship’s master, an Iranian national, reportedly falsified documents and hid the ship’s identity to avoid sanctions. Even after being sanctioned earlier, the vessel continued its operations within the network.
The US alleges that despite previous warnings and actions, certain ships and their crews persisted in helping Iran move its oil illegally. The US has now imposed new sanctions on these crews and vessels to stop their activities.
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US Efforts to Block Iran’s Oil Revenues
This is not the first time the United States has acted against Iran’s oil trade. Since 2018, when former US President Donald Trump introduced strict measures against Iran, the US has worked to prevent Iran from earning money through oil exports. Trump signed an executive order to apply “maximum pressure” on Iran, hoping to prevent it from developing nuclear weapons.
In his statement at the time, Trump said, “We don’t want to be tough on Iran. We don’t want to be tough on anybody. But they just can’t have a nuclear bomb.”
On Thursday, the US State Department emphasized its determination to hold Iran accountable. Spokeswoman Tammy Bruce stated that the US would use all tools available to stop Iran’s destabilizing actions and nuclear ambitions.
What This Means
The sanctions imposed by the US Department of Treasury are designed to send a strong message to companies and individuals helping Iran bypass international restrictions. By targeting shipping networks, crew management firms, and individuals, the US aims to disrupt the flow of money that Iran relies on to fund its controversial programs.
For the Indian company and its employees involved, these sanctions could mean financial and operational consequences, as they are now restricted from accessing US markets and resources. The US government has shown that it will continue to act against those who aid Iran’s oil trade, no matter where they are located.
