The United States Designates an Oil Broker Network Supporting Qods Force

Antony J. Blinken, Secretary of State

The United States is imposing sanctions on members of an international oil smuggling network, the leaders of which have provided support for Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps-Qods Force (IRGC-QF).  This action targets an oil broker from Oman who, in partnership with senior IRGC-QF officials, has used several companies to facilitate shipments of Iranian oil to foreign customers.  Two of these companies are based in Oman and one is registered in Liberia.  The broker also controls a company in Romania.  The broker and those companies are being sanctioned pursuant to Executive Order 13224.

The IRGC-QF has been using revenue from Iranian petroleum sales to fund its malign activities.  These sales depend on foreign intermediaries to obscure the IRGC-QF’s involvement.  The United State will continue to expose and disrupt those supporting such efforts.