US targets Iranian network for shipping sanctioned oil

The Donald Trump-led US administration has sanctioned Iranian national and LPG trader Seyed Asadoollah Emamjomeh, and his network of vessels.

IMAGE: Flags of the US and Iran. Getty Images

Washington has accused Emamjomeh and his network of vessels for shipping “hundreds of millions of dollars’ worth of Iranian LPG and crude oil to foreign markets,” according to the report.

Emamjomeh operates a network of Iran and UAE-based companies, like the Caspian Petrochemical, and dozens of vessels that have exported LPG shipments from Iran to Pakistan illegally, according to the US treasury.  

The US Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) has also sanctioned TINOS I, a very large gas carrier (VLGC) that allegedly attempted to load LPG cargo in 2024 off the coast of Houston, Texas for sale in China. 

In addition to crude oil, LPG is another major source of revenue for the Iranian regime, OFAC claimed, adding, “the proceeds of which fund Iran’s nuclear and advanced conventional weapons programs, as well as regional proxy groups and partners such as Hizballah, the Houthis, and Hamas.”

The move reinforces Washington’s commitment to tightening sanctions on Iran as it pushes to bring the OPEC member’s oil exports to zero. Brent’s price edged higher after the announcement, according to market analysts.

Meanwhile, the US could further escalate measures to block Iranian oil shipments, if it steps up efforts to prevent Tehran from acquiring nuclear weapons.

By Aparupa Mazumder

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