On Thursday, August 21, the United States and the United Kingdom simultaneously announced a new round of sanctions against Iran. The U.S. accused entities and vessels from Hong Kong, China, the United Arab Emirates, and the Marshall Islands of assisting Iran in exporting oil in violation of sanctions. The UK stated that the related networks supported Tehran’s destabilizing actions overseas, including activities in Ukraine and Israel.
The U.S. Treasury Department emphasized that individuals continuing to assist the Iranian regime, threatening global security, will be held accountable firmly.
The U.S. Treasury Department announced sanctions against 13 entities and 8 vessels, located in Hong Kong, China, the United Arab Emirates, and the Marshall Islands.
The Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) of the U.S. Treasury Department stated that the sanctions primarily target the Greek national Antonios Margaritis and his shipping network. He has long used his experience in the shipping industry to illegally facilitate the transport and sale of Iranian oil, thus providing funding for Iran’s advanced weapons projects.
Companies associated with Margaritis include:
– Marant Shipping and Trading S.A. (Greece/Marshall Islands)
– Square Tanker Management Ltd. (Marshall Islands)
– Comford Management S.A. (Marshall Islands)
– United Chartering S.A. (Marshall Islands)
– Cristobal Marine Corp. (Marshall Islands, under Rose Shipping, previously sanctioned by the U.S. in December 2024)
Additionally, Margaritis was involved in the operations of ships like MS ENOLA and MS ANGIA, which have transported Iranian oil.
Furthermore, the U.S. also sanctioned the United Arab Emirates’ Ozarka Shipping – FZCO and its vessels, as well as other shipping companies registered in the Marshall Islands and British Virgin Islands.
At the same time, the U.S. blacklist includes 6 Sino-Hong Kong companies and 4 oil tankers.
Chinese mainland entities added to the Specially Designated Nationals (SDN) list include:
– Qingdao Port Yihai Dongjiakou Oil Products Co.
– Yangshan Shen’gang International Petroleum Storage Co.
Hong Kong entities added to the SDN list include:
– Ares Shipping Limited
– Hong Kong Hangshun Shipping Limited
– Regal Liberty Limited
– U Beacon Shipping Co., Limited
Oil tankers related to these companies include:
– Adeline G, registered in Panama (associated with U Beacon Shipping Co., Limited)
– Ares, registered in the Cook Islands (associated with Ares Shipping Limited)
– Giant, also known as Macho Queen, registered in Hong Kong and China (associated with Regal Liberty Limited)
– Kongm, registered in Panama (associated with Hong Kong Hangshun Shipping Limited)
U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent stated: “Today’s actions against Margaritis and his network weaken Tehran’s ability to fund its advanced weapons projects, support terrorist organizations, and threaten the security of our forces and allies.”
“Under President Trump’s leadership, the Treasury Department will continue to hold accountable all those who try to help the Iranian regime, threatening global security,” he added.
The UK Foreign Office announced on Thursday sanctions against Iranian oil tycoon Mohammad Hossein Shamkhani and four related companies, accusing them of supporting Tehran’s actions abroad, including “destabilizing” activities in Ukraine and Israel.
The sanctions include asset freezes and travel bans against Shamkhani, and asset freezes for the four companies involved in shipping, petrochemicals, and finance. The UK emphasized that Shamkhani and his network play a crucial role in promoting Iranian oil exports and fund flows, providing a source of funding for the Iranian regime.
Hamish Falconer, UK’s Minister for the Middle East Affairs, said: “Iran relies on the revenue brought in by trading networks and associated organizations to carry out destabilizing activities, such as supporting agents and partners in the region and advancing threats within the UK.”
The Iranian Embassy in London condemned the UK’s “unilateral and illegal actions” and “baseless allegations.”
Last month, the U.S. imposed sanctions on Shamkhani, accusing him of controlling numerous containerships and oil tankers globally through a complex intermediary network for the sale of Iranian and Russian oil and other commodities. The EU also included Shamkhani on its sanctions list in July.
In June this year, the U.S. and Israel conducted strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities, leading Iran to halt negotiations aimed at curbing its nuclear ambitions with Washington. Iran denies any intention to develop nuclear weapons, dismissing Western accusations as “baseless, politically motivated, and hostile.”
However, UK lawmakers warned last month that Iran poses an increasingly multifaceted threat to the UK. These threats include attacks and potential assassinations targeting dissidents and the Jewish community, as well as espionage activities, cyber attacks, and attempts to develop nuclear weapons.