The United States imposed sanctions on 13 companies and eight vessels over suspected ties to Iran, the Treasury Department said on Thursday, in the latest effort to stop Tehran's oil exports in violation of US sanctions.
The designations target Greek national Antonios Margaritis and his network of companies, including Marant Shipping and Trading, Square Tanker Management, Comford Management and United Chartering, which Washington said had facilitated Iranian petroleum shipments for years.
“Today’s action against Margaritis and his network degrades Tehran’s ability to fund its advanced weapons programs, support terrorist groups, and threaten the safety of our troops and our allies,” Secretary of the Treasury Scott Bessent said in a statement.
"He (Antonios Margaritis) has most recently been involved in the operations of OFAC-sanctioned vessel MS ENOLA and MS ANGIA, which has carried Iranian oil," the Treasury said.
“Treasury remains determined to hold accountable all those who seek to aid the Iranian regime and threaten global security," he added.
The companies sanctioned on Thursday are based in Hong Kong, China, the United Arab Emirates and the Marshall Islands, according to the Treasury.
The Treasury accused Changbai Glory Shipping of moving more than four million barrels of Iranian oil to China on the LAFIT since March, Regal Liberty of delivering about two million barrels on the GIANT, and U Beacon Shipping of transporting over a million barrels on the ADELINE G.
It also accused Hong Kong Hangshun Shipping of shipping millions of barrels on the KONGM, and Ares Shipping of moving nearly ten million barrels on the ARES, often via ship-to-ship transfers with already sanctioned tankers.
UAE-based Ozarka Shipping was also sanctioned for managing vessels that transported Iranian petroleum products to China, while additional Hong Kong firms, including U Beacon Shipping, Hong Kong Hangshun Shipping and Ares Shipping, were sanctioned for their role in moving Iranian oil.
