US Sanctions UAE Companies and Tankers Over Nuclear Concerns

The US State Department has imposed sanctions on three companies and 11 tankers from the United Arab Emirates for their involvement in transporting Iranian petroleum and petrochemical products. Secretary of State Antony Blinken stated that these sanctions were a response to Iran’s recent expansion of its nuclear program, which he deemed as having no credible peaceful purpose, especially given Iran’s lack of cooperation with the International Atomic Energy Agency.

The sanctioned companies, Sea Route Ship Management FZE, Almanac Ship Management LLC, and Al Anchor Ship Management FZE, were found to have engaged in significant transactions related to the transportation of Iranian petroleum and petrochemical products. These companies were implicated in facilitating the transport of such products from Iran using vessels like ASTRA, BERENICE PRIDE, and PARINE.

In addition to the companies, the State Department also identified 11 associated vessels as blocked property, including ASTRA, BALTIC HORIZON, and NILE. The sanctions require the freezing of all property and ownership interests of these companies within the US and owned by US persons, as well as prohibiting any transactions involving blocked or designated persons. Blinken emphasized the commitment to prevent Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon and the readiness to use all national power to achieve this.

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