The U.S. Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control has imposed sanctions on 12 additional vessels identified as part of Iran’s so-called “shadow fleet,” escalating Washington’s campaign to curb Tehran’s oil export revenues and weapons procurement networks.
According to Treasury, the newly designated ships have transported hundreds of millions of dollars’ worth of Iranian petroleum and petrochemical products in violation of existing sanctions. The action targets gas carriers Hoot, Luma, Danuta I, Alaa and Gas Fate, along with tankers Ocean Koi, North Star, Ateela 1, Ateela 2, Niba, and Remiz. Several of the vessels operate under third-country flags, including Panama and Barbados, a common tactic used in sanctions evasion schemes.
Among the vessels, MV Gas Fate has allegedly carried Iranian ammonia derived from natural gas, a less frequently sanctioned cargo compared with crude oil and refined products. Treasury officials said the ships have delivered cargoes to destinations across South Asia and East Asia, generating revenue that U.S. authorities contend supports Iran’s missile development and unmanned aerial vehicle programs.
In addition to maritime targets, Treasury designated companies and individuals accused of facilitating procurement for Iran’s ballistic missile and drone programs.
The move marks the latest round in what U.S. officials describe as a “maximum pressure” strategy aimed at constraining Iran’s oil revenue streams and defense capabilities. Maritime enforcement efforts have intensified in recent months, with greater scrutiny on ship-to-ship transfers, opaque vessel ownership structures, and frequent changes in vessel names and flags associated with sanctions evasion.
