The U.S. Sanctions Iran's International Oil Transfer Network to China

On Thursday, February 7, the United States sanctioned an international network facilitating the transport of millions of barrels of Iranian crude oil to China, valued at hundreds of millions of dollars. The Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) of the U.S. Treasury Department announced in a statement that Iranian oil is being sent to China on behalf of the General Staff of the Armed Forces of the Islamic Republic and its sanctioned company, 'Sepehr Energy Jahan Nama Pars.' According to the statement, the Iranian government finances its destabilizing regional activities and supports terrorist groups such as Hamas, Hezbollah, and the Houthis through the annual sale of oil worth billions of dollars, and the General Staff of the Armed Forces of the Islamic Republic facilitates the sale and shipment of oil from within Iran using networks and agents based outside Iran. U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Basset stated that the Islamic Republic continues to focus on using Iranian oil revenues to finance its nuclear program, produce ballistic missiles and deadly drones, and support its terrorist proxy groups in the region. He emphasized that the United States is committed to targeting any efforts by the Islamic Republic to finance these malign activities. The U.S. State Department also warned that the United States will not tolerate the Iranian government's destructive and destabilizing behavior and, therefore, will target the shadow fleet of ships and management companies involved in the sale and transfer of Iranian oil. The U.S. diplomatic apparatus further warned that the United States will use all available tools to hold the Islamic Republic accountable for its destabilizing activities and efforts to acquire nuclear weapons. The sanctioned oil tanker, Anthea, flying the Comoros flag, is now known as 'Siri' and is currently using the name 'New Prime' to conceal its identity. Arash Lavyan, who forged shipping documents and changed the name 'Siri' to hide the reality of this tanker’s sanctions, is also mentioned. Jamshid Ishaqi, head of the budget and finance office of the General Staff of the Armed Forces of the Islamic Republic and a former official at Sepehr Energy, previously coordinated with the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps regarding the sale of Iranian crude oil to China. Sepehr Energy Hamta Pars, Sepehr Energy Jahan Nama Taban, and Sepehr Energy Paya Gostar Jahan, all subsidiaries of Sepehr Energy, are also listed. Farshad Ghazi, CEO of Sepehr Energy Hamta Pars, Farbad Mohseni Ahari, head of Sepehr Energy Jahan Nama Taban, and Mohammad Ali Riazi Kalhdoz Mahaleh, who has chaired the board of several subsidiaries of Sepehr Energy, are included in the sanctions. Additionally, foreign nationals, ships, and companies based in India, Hong Kong, China, Kazakhstan, and the Seychelles have also been sanctioned. A proposal to prevent the sale of U.S. oil reserves to the Islamic Republic has been presented. The Islamic Republic has turned to OPEC to escape the 'maximum pressure' from the U.S. The U.S. is aware of reports of chemical propellant materials being sent from China to Iran. France has called for the European Union to sanction Iranian officials. Trump stated that the Houthis will be added to the list of foreign terrorist organizations.