EU sanctions Khamenei adviser’s son in crackdown on Russian oil trade
The European Union has sanctioned the son of an advisor to Iran's Supreme Leader for his role in Russia's oil trade, as part of a crackdown on the Kremlin's energy revenues.
The European Union has sanctioned the son of an advisor to Iran's Supreme Leader for his role in Russia's oil trade, as part of a crackdown on the Kremlin's energy revenues.
Hossein Shamkhani -- the son of Ali Shamkhani, a long-time defense minister and former head of Iran's Supreme National Security Council - was branded “a central player” in Russia’s so-called “shadow fleet".
An EU statement released on Friday accused him of using Dubai-based firms to conceal the origin of Russian crude.
“Hossein Shamkhani is involved in an economic sector providing a substantial source of revenue to the Government of the Russian Federation,” the bloc said.
Shamkhani was sanctioned alongside his companies Milavous Group Ltd and Admiral Shipping.
“He uses the company Milavous Group Ltd to blend crude oil with various petroleum products from Russia and to rebrand for exporting purposes, thereby concealing their origin,” the statement read.
“As Director of the company Admiral Shipping, he is involved in transporting and selling Russian crude oil.”
A 2024 Bloomberg investigation reported that the Shamkhani network is at the heart of a sanctions-evading secret trade with Russia, in which Iran provides Moscow with weapons in exchange for oil, helping Russia's war on Ukraine.
The investigation alleged that the network had become a major actor in the export of Iranian and Russian oil and had launched a hedge fund with offices in cities including London, Dubai, and Singapore to manage proceeds.
Shamkhani has denied Bloomberg report.
The Shamkhani family has faced repeated accusations of corruption and abuse of power. Iran International’s Mojtaba Pourmohsen reported on their alleged ownership of foreign assets and ties to the fatal 2022 building collapse in Khuzestan, linked to a businessman associated with the family.
The oil magnate's father, Ali, was seriously wounded in an Israeli strike on his residence in June. Initial reports said he had been killed, but state-linked outlets later confirmed he had survived. He remains a close confidant and advisor of Ali Khamenei.
The EU’s latest sanctions also included a move to lower the price cap on Russian crude in a bid to further constrain Moscow’s energy income.
