New US Sanctions Against Iran in Response to Missile Attack on Israel

The United States government announced an expansion of sanctions against Iran's oil and petrochemical sectors in response to Tehran's missile attack on Israel. The US Departments of Treasury and State released the list of these sanctions on Friday evening, October 20. According to Reuters, the new sanctions target key sectors of Iran's economy, aiming to deprive the Iranian government of funding for its nuclear and missile programs. Jake Sullivan, the White House National Security Advisor, stated in a statement that the United States had previously made it clear that Iran's dangerous missile attack on Israel would face severe consequences. Mr. Sullivan noted that 'this attack targeted Tel Aviv, the most populous city in Israel, and could have killed hundreds, if not thousands, of innocent people.' Fortunately, this attack was thwarted and rendered ineffective thanks to the cooperation of the US military with Israeli defense forces. On the evening of October 1, Iran fired approximately 200 missiles toward Israel, and Israel has committed to responding to that attack. This was Iran's second missile attack on Israel, reportedly in response to the killings of Ismail Haniyeh and Hassan Nasrallah in Tehran and Beirut. The previous Iranian attack on Israel occurred at midnight on April 14, in response to an attack on the Iranian consulate in Damascus. According to the White House National Security Advisor's statement, the new sanctions include actions against the 'ghost fleet' that illegally transports Iranian oil to buyers around the world. Jake Sullivan emphasized that the Biden administration 'has not lifted a single sanction against Iran and has imposed sanctions on over 700 individuals and entities related to Iran's destabilizing activities and support for terrorism across the Middle East and the world.' Additionally, Sullivan noted that the new US sanctions were imposed in coordination with Washington's allies and partners, and these countries will also announce their actions in response to Iran in the coming days. The US Treasury and State Departments have published complete lists of their new sanctions against Iran. The Treasury's sanctions include 16 companies and 17 vessels involved in the transportation of Iranian oil and petrochemical products. - The Max Shipping Company based in the United Arab Emirates and three vessels managed by this company named Karnatic, Bendigo, and Sulvia. According to the Treasury, this company and its subsidiaries conducted nearly 12 transfers of Iranian oil via ship-to-ship in 2023; most of this oil was later sent to refineries in China. - The Luna Prime vessel, previously named Selin, owned and managed by the South Korean company Kethi Harvest. This vessel also transported Iranian oil to several refineries in the People's Republic of China and conducted ship-to-ship transfers with an Iranian tanker near Singapore to carry tens of thousands of tons of heavy Iranian crude oil. - The Elza Shipping Company, based in Liberia, participated in the transfer of hundreds of thousands of barrels of gas condensate from an Iranian vessel and also engaged in ship-to-ship transfers near Singapore to transport tens of thousands of tons of South Pars gas condensate. - The Das Island Oil Products Trading Company, based in the UAE, acted as the recipient of false cargo documents, disguising millions of barrels of Iranian crude oil as Emirati oil and coordinating transportation activities for several shipments of Iranian oil with the China National Petroleum Corporation under the name of the United States, thus obscuring the role of the National Iranian Oil Company in these shipments. - The Harry Victor Shipping Management and Operations Company, which manages the vessels Goodwin, Enhana, and Wenyau, has transported several shipments of Iranian petrochemicals for the Iranian Trillions Petrochemical Company. The US State Department also announced sanctions against six companies and six vessels active in Iranian oil and petrochemical trade. - The Ingen Management Company, based in Suriname, which operates as the commercial manager for Hornet in the transportation of Iranian oil. - The Strong Roots Provider Company, based in Suriname, which operates as the commercial manager for Berg in the transportation of Iranian oil. - The Glazing Future Company, based in Suriname, which operates as the commercial manager for Vorras in the transportation of Iranian oil. - The Indian Gabaro Company, which operates as the technical manager for Hornet in the transportation of Iranian oil. - The Elia Sandirin Company, based in Malaysia, which operates as the commercial manager for Shanai Queen in the transportation of Iranian oil. - The Celia Arms Company, based in China, which operates as the commercial manager for Octans in the transportation of Iranian oil. - The US State Department also sanctioned the six vessels Hornet, Berg 1, Vorras, Shanai Queen, Carol, and Octans.