The U.S. government on Monday designated and sanctioned six entities as helping with “illicit transactions related to Iranian petroleum” and related products, “key sources of revenue for the Iranian government.”
It is one more wrench in negotiating the 2015 Iran nuclear deal.
“The United States has been sincere in pursuing a path of meaningful diplomacy to achieve a mutual return to full implementation of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA). Until Iran is ready to return to full implementation of the JCPOA, we will continue to use sanctions authorities to target exports of petroleum, petroleum products and petrochemical products from Iran,” said U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken in announcing the designation.
The designated entities include Pioneer Ship management PTE LTD, which managed a “liquified petroleum-gas tanker for serving as the commercial manager for a vessel that transported Iranian petroleum products” and Golden Warrior Shipping, Co. Ltd., which “engaged in transactions related to Iranian petroleum and petroleum products, to include providing logistical support to the Iranian petroleum trade.”
As a result of the designation, said a statement from the U.S. Department of Treasury, “all property and interests in property of these targets that are in the United States or in the possession or control of U.S. persons must be blocked and reported” to the Treasury Department’s Office of Foreign Assets Control.
