{"id":74330,"date":"2025-07-30T12:56:27","date_gmt":"2025-07-30T19:56:27","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lapost.us\/?p=74330"},"modified":"2025-07-30T12:56:27","modified_gmt":"2025-07-30T19:56:27","slug":"treasury-takes-massive-action-against-high-profile-iranian-network","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lapost.us\/?p=74330","title":{"rendered":"Treasury Takes Massive Action Against High-Profile Iranian Network"},"content":{"rendered":"<div class=\"date-format field field--name-field-news-publication-date field--type-datetime field--label-hidden field__item\"><time class=\"datetime\" datetime=\"2025-07-30T19:00:00Z\">uly 30, 2025<\/time><\/div>\n<div class=\"clearfix text-formatted field field--name-field-news-body field--type-text-long field--label-hidden field__item\">\n<p class=\"text-align-center\"><em>Biggest Iran-related sanctions package since 2018 targets corrupt regime-linked shipping empire that has funneled billions to Tehran<\/em><\/p>\n<p><strong>WASHINGTON<\/strong>\u00a0\u2014 Today, in its largest Iran-related action since 2018, the Department of the Treasury\u2019s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) is designating more than 50 individuals and entities and identifying more than 50 vessels that are part of the vast shipping empire controlled by\u00a0<strong>Mohammad Hossein Shamkhani\u00a0<\/strong>(Hossein). Hossein\u2014the son of Ali Shamkhani,\u00a0<strong>a top political advisor to the Supreme Leader of Iran<\/strong>\u2014leverages corruption through his father\u2019s political influence at the highest levels of the Iranian regime to build and operate a massive fleet of tankers and containerships. This network transports oil and petroleum products from Iran and Russia, as well as other cargo, to buyers around the world, generating tens of billions of dollars in profit.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cThe Shamkhani family\u2019s shipping empire highlights how the Iranian regime elites leverage their positions to accrue massive wealth and fund the regime\u2019s dangerous behavior,\u201d said\u00a0<strong>Secretary of the Treasury Scott Bessent<\/strong>.\u00a0 \u201cThe over 115 sanctions issued today are the largest to-date since the Trump Administration implemented our campaign of maximum pressure on Iran. These actions put America first by targeting regime elites that profit while Tehran threatens the safety of the United States.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Hossein\u2019s network exerts control over a significant portion of Iran\u2019s crude oil exports, the proceeds of which substantially benefit his family and the Iranian regime. \u00a0His father, Ali Shamkhani was\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/home.treasury.gov\/news\/press-releases\/sm870\">previously sanctioned by the U.S. in 2020<\/a>. \u00a0The Shamkhani family further exploits their ill-gotten wealth to obtain access to benefits unavailable to everyday Iranians, including owning exclusive properties around the world and obtaining foreign passports in exchange for substantial financial investments. \u00a0These passports allow them to travel undetected and hide their connections to Iran when conducting business overseas in furtherance of their corrupt schemes.<\/p>\n<p>Today\u2019s action was taken pursuant to Executive Order (E.O.) 13902, which targets those operating in certain sectors of the Iranian economy.\u00a0 Today\u2019s action also reflects OFAC\u2019s ongoing close collaboration with Treasury\u2019s Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN) and is in furtherance of Treasury\u2019s implementation of\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.whitehouse.gov\/presidential-actions\/2025\/02\/national-security-presidential-memorandum-nspm-2\/\">National Security Presidential Memorandum 2<\/a>\u00a0(NSPM-2), instituting a campaign of maximum economic pressure on Iran.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"align-center\" src=\"https:\/\/home.treasury.gov\/system\/files\/136\/sb0215-img1.png\" alt=\"Hossein Shamkhani's Global Reach\" width=\"624\" height=\"472\" \/>Concurrently, the Department of State is designating 20 entities and identifying 10 vessels as blocked property, pursuant to E.O. 13846 and E.O. 13902, for their involvement in the trade and transport of Iranian petroleum and petrochemical products.<\/p>\n<h3>iranian OIL and cargo network<\/h3>\n<p><strong>Mohammad Hossein Shamkhani<\/strong>\u2019s (Hossein) network comprises a vast fleet of vessels, ship management firms, and front companies\u2014some posing as legitimate financial services firms\u2014that launder billions in profits from global sales of Iranian and Russian crude oil and other petroleum products, most often to buyers in China. \u00a0The network employs significant measures to disguise its operations and obfuscate its ties to the Shamkhani family, Iran, and Russia.\u00a0 Hossein solely uses aliases when conducting network business which include \u201cH,\u201d \u201cHector,\u201d and \u201cHugo Hayek,\u201d the false name listed on his Dominica passport. \u00a0The network\u2019s fleet, which consists of both oil tankers and containerships, undergoes frequent changes in the operators and managers of each vessel to ensure that determining the ultimate responsibility for any particular vessel remains opaque and difficult to trace back to the Shamkhani family. \u00a0The fleet at times has been given preferential treatment over other vessels when loading or unloading in Iranian ports.<\/p>\n<p>Hossein is intimately involved in the management of the network\u2019s illicit activities through various companies, including United Arab Emirates (UAE)-based\u00a0<strong>Marvise SMC DMCC\u00a0<\/strong>(Marvise), formerly known as Mairin Ship Management and Consultancy DMCC, which provides management services to many of Hossein\u2019s shipping firms and secretly controls a fleet of dozens of vessels that publicly appear to be owned by multiple other companies transporting crude oil and liquified petroleum gas for Iran.\u00a0Hossein personally oversees Marvise\u2019s operations in Tehran, Iran.\u00a0 Historically, much of Hossein\u2019s tanker fleet fell under the purview of UAE-based\u00a0<strong>Armada Global Shipping DMCC\u00a0<\/strong>(Armada Global),<strong>\u00a0<\/strong>an umbrella company that managed dozens of vessels used by the network until as recently as early 2025.<\/p>\n<p>UAE-based firms\u00a0<strong>Koban Shipping L.L.C<\/strong>,\u00a0<strong>Crios Shipping L.L.C\u00a0<\/strong>(Crios Shipping), and\u00a0<strong>Fractal Marine DMCC<\/strong>\u00a0have also played important roles in the management and operation of the network\u2019s fleet of tankers and containerships. \u00a0In 2024, Hossein\u2019s network, including Crios Shipping, was publicly exposed for its involvement in shipping missiles, drone components, and dual-use goods from Iran to Russia in exchange for shipments of Russian petroleum. \u00a0Hossein\u2019s companies subsequently sold to overseas buyers, with the proceeds of the sales benefiting Hossein\u2019s network.<\/p>\n<p>Crios Shipping and other companies in Hossein\u2019s network incorporate special purpose vehicles in offshore jurisdictions, such as Marshall Islands-registered\u00a0<strong>Oka Shipping Inc.<\/strong>,<strong>\u00a0<\/strong>for the sole purpose of<strong>\u00a0<\/strong>managing vessels on their behalf, insulating the rest of the network from legal risk. \u00a0Crios Shipping is also closely related to Oceanlink Maritime DMCC (Oceanlink), a UAE-based entity in Hossein\u2019s network that was\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/home.treasury.gov\/news\/press-releases\/jy2220\">designated<\/a>\u00a0on April 4, 2024 for its role facilitating shipments on behalf of Iran\u2019s Ministry of Defense and Armed Forces Logistics (MODAFL) and Armed Forces General Staff (AFGS) affiliate Sepehr Energy Jahan Nama Pars Company (Sepehr Energy).\u00a0 OFAC designated Sepehr Energy on\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/home.treasury.gov\/news\/press-releases\/jy1932\">November 29, 2023<\/a>, for having materially assisted, sponsored, or provided financial, material, or technological support for, or goods or services to or in support of MODAFL.<\/p>\n<p>Although the primary income source for Hossein\u2019s network is oil sales, the network also operates a containership fleet that carries cargo both to and from Iran, among other locations.\u00a0In an attempt to evade prohibitions on the sale of certain non-humanitarian goods to Iran, Hossein\u2019s network offers certain overseas sellers Iranian oil in lieu of payment.\u00a0 The network\u2019s containerships have utilized obfuscation tactics similar to those used by tankers carrying Iranian oil.\u00a0For example, the Liberia-flagged\u00a0<strong>BIGLI<\/strong>\u00a0(IMO 9307047) loaded Iranian petrochemicals that were then discharged in China, with bills of lading showing signs of possible modification, which is a red flag for Iranian sanctions violations.\u00a0 The Saint Vincent and the Grenadines-flagged\u00a0<strong>ACE<\/strong>\u00a0(IMO 9228538) similarly loaded a shipment of goods in Iran, turning off its automatic identification system (AIS) transponder during loading, and misrepresented cargo information in bills of lading.<strong>\u00a0\u00a0<\/strong>UAE-based<strong>\u00a0Reel Shipping L.L.C<\/strong>\u00a0(Reel Shipping) manages a fleet of seven containerships on behalf of Hossein\u2019s network (see the Annex for Reel Shipping\u2019s blocked vessels), some of which count other Hossein-affiliated sanctioned entities among their historical management.\u00a0 Singapore-based\u00a0<strong>Draco Buren Shipping PTE. Ltd.\u00a0<\/strong>(Draco Buren)<strong>\u00a0<\/strong>is one of the myriad shipping companies created to manage the Hossein network\u2019s fleet, managing 21 vessels at its peak for Hossein\u2019s network, including both containerships and crude oil tankers.<\/p>\n<p>Switzerland-based\u00a0<strong>Progwin Shipping SA\u00a0<\/strong>(Progwin Shipping), formerly known as Fractal Shipping SA and managed by French and UK national\u00a0<strong>Mathieu Alain Michel Philippe\u00a0<\/strong>(Philippe), has drawn public attention for the unusual speed at which it assembled an expansive fleet of aging tankers, and for Progwin Shipping and Philippe\u2019s willingness to exploit the high rates of return in shipping Russian oil, all for the benefit of Hossein\u2019s network.\u00a0 In early 2024, following Progwin Shipping\u2019s public exposure, UAE-based\u00a0<strong>BPT Shipping Co L.L.C\u00a0<\/strong>and T\u00fcrkiye-based\u00a0<strong>Westanker Denizcilik Ve Ticaret Limited Sirketi\u00a0<\/strong>(Westanker Denizcilik) took over management of a group of vessels formerly managed by Progwin Shipping, helping Hossein\u2019s network obfuscate the true ownership of its fleet.\u00a0 Westanker Denizcilik managed its new vessels in part through Marshall Islands-registered\u00a0<strong>Westanker Limited<\/strong>.<\/p>\n<p>UAE-based entities\u00a0<strong>The Zulu Ships Management and Operation &#8211; Sole Proprietorship L.L.C<\/strong>\u00a0(Zulu Ships),\u00a0<strong>Wanta Shipping L.L.C-FZ<\/strong>, and\u00a0<strong>Algae Ship Charter &#8211; FZCO\u00a0<\/strong>(Algae Ship)<strong>\u00a0<\/strong>are among the many shipping companies in Hossein\u2019s network that regularly shuffle in and out of management and operator roles for the network\u2019s fleet.\u00a0 Zulu Ships manages ten vessels, while Algae Ship operates three vessels contained in the network\u2019s fleet (see the Annex for full vessel list).<\/p>\n<p>UAE-based\u00a0<strong>G M C G Shipping L.L.C\u00a0<\/strong>and Cyprus-based\u00a0<strong>GMCG Ltd.\u00a0<\/strong>have incorporated and paid fees for front companies used by Hossein\u2019s network, including Marshall Islands-based\u00a0<strong>Neo Shipping Inc.<\/strong>\u00a0 UAE-based\u00a0<strong>International Shipping Bureau L.L.C\u00a0<\/strong>has also incorporated several companies that operate within the Hossein network.\u00a0 UAE-based\u00a0<strong>Thamoud Mohammed Muhsin al-Azzawi\u00a0<\/strong>is the managing director of\u00a0<strong>G M C G Shipping L.L.C<\/strong>. \u00a0Panama-based\u00a0<strong>Hector Varela de Leon\u00a0<\/strong>founded Panama-based\u00a0<strong>GMCG Holding Corp<\/strong>\u00a0and currently serves as its director. \u00a0<strong>Mohamed Rafeek Habibullah Habibullah<\/strong>\u00a0(Habibullah) and Hector Varela de Leon<strong>\u00a0<\/strong>previously served as executives of a likely front company that once managed the\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/home.treasury.gov\/news\/press-releases\/jy2613\">FENG TAI<\/a>, which in 2024 was\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/home.treasury.gov\/news\/press-releases\/jy2613\">sanctioned for<\/a>\u00a0transporting oil loaded in Iran on behalf of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps-Qods Force (IRGC-QF).\u00a0 Habibullah also collected payments related to Sepehr Energy shipments of Iranian oil.<\/p>\n<p>In 2024, Hossein\u2019s network purchased Russian oil in a transaction involving UAE-based\u00a0<strong>Cober FZCO DMCC\u00a0<\/strong>for resale to overseas buyers.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Teodor Shipping L.L.C\u00a0<\/strong>is a UAE-based vessel management firm that has received millions of dollars from Hossein\u2019s network for management of vessels transporting Iranian petroleum and petroleum products.\u00a0 Marshall Islands-based shipping company\u00a0<strong>Cora Lines Inc.<\/strong>\u00a0is a subsidiary of Teodor Shipping L.L.C.\u00a0 UAE-based Indian national\u00a0<strong>Pankaj Nagjibhai Patel\u00a0<\/strong>(Patel)<strong>\u00a0<\/strong>has served as an executive on several shipping companies in Hossein\u2019s network, including Teodor Shipping L.L.C.\u00a0 Patel<strong>\u00a0<\/strong>is also the director of India-based\u00a0<strong>Shreeji Gems Ltd<\/strong>.<\/p>\n<p>Hong Kong-based firms\u00a0<strong>Teton Global Trading Limited\u00a0<\/strong>and\u00a0<strong>Ultimate Spirit Limited\u2014<\/strong>and<strong>\u00a0<\/strong>UAE-based firms\u00a0<strong>Carlington Petrochem FZCO<\/strong>,\u00a0<strong>Etana Trading DMCC<\/strong>, and\u00a0<strong>Max Energy Fuel Trading L.L.C<\/strong>\u2014have been involved in transporting oil and laundering the funds for the network.<\/p>\n<p>While under the ownership of Marshall Islands-based\u00a0<strong>Weser Shipping Inc.<\/strong>, Cameroon-flagged\u00a0<strong>TRIS GAS\u00a0<\/strong>(IMO 9041655), part of the fleet of vessels used by Teodor Shipping L.L.C, transported multiple LPG cargos from Iran to the UAE and China.<\/p>\n<p>Hossein Shamkhani, Weser Shipping Inc., Mohamed Rafeek Habibullah Habibullah, and Hector Varela de Leon are being designated pursuant to E.O. 13902 for operating in the petroleum sector of the Iranian economy.\u00a0 TRIS GAS is being identified as property in which Weser Shipping Inc. has an interest.<\/p>\n<p>Marvise SMC DMCC, Armada Global Shipping DMCC, Koban Shipping L.L.C, Crios Shipping L.L.C, Fractal Marine DMCC, Draco Buren Shipping PTE. Ltd., Reel Shipping L.L.C, Progwin Shipping SA, BPT Shipping Co L.L.C, Westanker Denizcilik Ve Ticaret Limited Sirketi, Westanker Limited, The Zulu Ships Management and Operation &#8211; Sole Proprietorship L.L.C, Wanta Shipping L.L.C-FZ, Algae Ship Charter &#8211; FZCO, G M C G Shipping L.L.C, GMCG Ltd., International Shipping Bureau L.L.C,\u00a0and Teodor Shipping L.L.C are being designated pursuant to E.O. 13902 for having materially assisted, sponsored, or provided financial, material, or technological support for, or goods or services to or in support of, Hossein Shamkhani.\u00a0 Cober FZCO DMCC is being designated pursuant to E.O. 13902 for having materially assisted, sponsored, or provided financial, material, or technological support for, or goods or services to or in support of, Nest Wise Petroleum L.L.C.<\/p>\n<p>Cora Lines Inc. is being designated pursuant to E.O. 13902 for being owned or controlled by, or having acted or purported to act for or on behalf of, directly or indirectly,\u00a0Teodor Shipping L.L.C.\u00a0 GMCG Holding Corp\u00a0is being designated pursuant to E.O. 13902 for being owned or controlled by, or having acted or purported to act for or on behalf of, directly or indirectly, Hector Varela de Leon.\u00a0 Thamoud Mohammed Muhsin al-Azzawi\u00a0is being designated pursuant to E.O. 13902 for being owned or controlled by, or having acted or purported to act for or on behalf of, directly or indirectly, G M C G Shipping L.L.C.\u00a0 Shreeji Gems Ltd is being designated pursuant to E.O.\u00a013902 for being owned or controlled by, or having acted or purported to act for or on behalf of, directly or indirectly, Patel.<\/p>\n<p>Oka Shipping Inc. is being designated pursuant to E.O. 13902 for having materially assisted, sponsored, or provided financial, material, or technological support for, or goods or services to or in support of,\u00a0Crios Shipping L.L.C.\u00a0 Mathieu Alain Michel\u00a0Philippe is being designated pursuant to E.O. 13902 for being owned or controlled by, or having acted or purported to act for or on behalf of, directly or indirectly,\u00a0Progwin Shipping SA.\u00a0 Teton Global Trading Limited, Ultimate Spirit Limited, Carlington Petrochem FZCO, Etana Trading DMCC, and Max Energy Fuel Trading L.L.C are being designated pursuant to E.O. 13902 for having materially assisted, sponsored, or provided financial, material, or technological support for, or goods or services to or in support of, Nest Wise Petroleum L.L.C.<\/p>\n<h3>LAUNDERING HOSSEIN NETWORK FUNDS<\/h3>\n<p>Billions of dollars in income from Hossein network\u2019s illicit trade are transferred through a global network of front companies designed to disguise the trail back to Iran.\u00a0 Layers of front companies with an innocuous appearance and no easily discernible connection to Hossein\u2019s network allow it to accrue enormous profits while avoiding outside scrutiny.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"align-center\" src=\"https:\/\/home.treasury.gov\/system\/files\/136\/sb0215-img2.png\" alt=\"Shamkhani Network Process\" width=\"624\" height=\"468\" \/>One of Hossein\u2019s key associates, UAE-based\u00a0<strong>Yves Leon Agnes Demasure\u00a0<\/strong>(Demasure), is the former chief investment officer of UAE-based hedge fund\u00a0<strong>Ocean Leonid Investments Ltd<\/strong>\u00a0(Ocean Leonid), which trades in futures, options, and securities, primarily in oil, gas, and metals. \u00a0Ocean Leonid receives the funds that constitute its portfolio via the proceeds of Hossein\u2019s sales of oil and gas to overseas buyers.\u00a0 Hossein is involved in Ocean Leonid\u2019s investment decisions despite serving no official role in the business. \u00a0Owned by UAE-based\u00a0<strong>Oenergy Commodities DMCC<\/strong>, Ocean Leonid has branches in Switzerland (<strong>Ocean Leonid Investments AG<\/strong>) and Singapore (<strong>Ocean Leonid Investments Singapore PTE. Ltd.<\/strong>).\u00a0 Demasure served a prominent role in leading Ocean Leonid to substantial profits between early 2021 and 2024, a period in which Hossein\u2019s network sold substantial volumes of Iranian and Russian oil overseas.<\/p>\n<p>UAE-based commodities trading and shipping firm\u00a0<strong>Milavous Group Ltd<\/strong>\u00a0is another important component in Hossein\u2019s network, assisting Hossein in arranging sales of Iranian oil and gas and laundering the proceeds.\u00a0 Milavous Group Ltd\u2019s success in selling billions of dollars of oil can be attributed to the steps taken by Hossein\u2019s network to ensure it appeared above board, disguising the Iranian and Russian origin of the oil it sold.\u00a0 Milavous Group Ltd owns T\u00fcrkiye-based\u00a0<strong>Green Energy Chemicals Enerji Kimyasallari Sanayi Ticaret Anonim Sirketi<\/strong>.\u00a0 UAE-based\u00a0<strong>Milavous Holding Limited<\/strong>\u00a0and\u00a0<strong>Milavous Commodities Holding Limited\u00a0<\/strong>are both affiliates of Milavous Group Ltd, all functioning as part of Hossein\u2019s network out of the same location.<\/p>\n<p>UAE-based\u00a0<strong>Nest Wise Petroleum L.L.C<\/strong>\u00a0occupies a similar role to Milavous Group Ltd, maintaining the appearance of a legitimate trader of oil and gas, while in reality managing much of the network\u2019s purchases of Iranian and Russian oil and gas and their subsequent shipment and sale to overseas buyers. \u00a0Nest Wise Petroleum L.L.C is the sole shareholder of branches in Romania (<strong>Nest Wise Trading S.R.L.<\/strong>) and Singapore (<strong>Nest Wise Trading PTE. Ltd.<\/strong>).<\/p>\n<p>Ocean Leonid Investments Ltd, Oenergy Commodities DMCC,\u00a0Ocean Leonid Investments AG, Nest Wise Petroleum L.L.C, and Milavous Group Ltd are being designated pursuant to E.O. 13902 for having materially assisted, sponsored, or provided financial, material, or technological support for, or goods or services to or in support of, Hossein Shamkhani.<\/p>\n<p>Ocean Leonid Investments Singapore PTE. Ltd. is being designated pursuant to E.O. 13902 for being owned or controlled by, or having acted or purported to act for or on behalf of, directly or indirectly,\u00a0Ocean Leonid Investments Ltd.\u00a0 Yves Leon Agnes Demasure is being designated pursuant to E.O. 13902 for being owned or controlled by, or having acted or purported to act for or on behalf of, directly or indirectly,\u00a0Ocean Leonid Investments Ltd.\u00a0 Nest Wise Trading S.R.L. and Nest Wise Trading PTE. Ltd. are being designated pursuant to E.O. 13902 for being owned or controlled by, or having acted or purported to act for or on behalf of, directly or indirectly,\u00a0Nest Wise Petroleum L.L.C.<\/p>\n<p>Green Energy Chemicals Enerji Kimyasallari Sanayi Ticaret Anonim Sirketiis\u00a0being designated pursuant to E.O. 13902 for being owned or controlled by, or having acted or purported to act for or on behalf of, directly or indirectly, Milavous Group Ltd.\u00a0 Milavous Holding Limited is being designated pursuant to E.O. 13902 for having materially assisted, sponsored, or provided financial, material, or technological support for, or goods or services to or in support of, Milavous Group Ltd.\u00a0 Milavous Commodities Holding Limited is being designated pursuant to E.O. 13902 for being owned or controlled by, or having acted or purported to act for or on behalf of, directly or indirectly, Milavous Holding Limited.<\/p>\n<h3>KEY NETWORK PERSONNEL<\/h3>\n<p>Hossein\u2019s network is notable for the sophisticated techniques it uses for evading sanctions, laundering money, and obfuscating paper trails, ultimately insulating those responsible from culpability.\u00a0 The network relies on witting personnel at multiple levels of management across numerous jurisdictions to manage its expansive illicit business operations.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Alireza Derakhshan\u00a0<\/strong>(Derakhshan), a dual national of Iran and Dominica who primarily resides in Monaco and the UAE, is a prominent figure in the shipping portion of Hossein\u2019s network.\u00a0 Derakhshan is a ship captain with a long history of sanctions evasion and transporting Iranian oil.\u00a0 Derakshan owns UAE-based\u00a0<strong>Captain Dynasty Shipping L.L.C\u00a0<\/strong>and previously served as the manager of Teodor Shipping L.L.C.<strong>\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Italian national\u00a0<strong>Elisabetta Cadeddu\u00a0<\/strong>serves as the owner and shareholder of companies in Hossein\u2019s network, including UAE-based\u00a0<strong>Max Energy Fuel Trading L.L.C<\/strong>, a company used by Hossein to add layers of transactions between the Iranian or Russian sellers and the ultimate buyers of petroleum cargos.<\/p>\n<p>Indian nationals\u00a0<strong>Jacob Kurian\u00a0<\/strong>and\u00a0<strong>Anil Kumar Panackal Narayanan Nair<\/strong>\u00a0have served as the sole shareholder and director, respectively, of Marshall Islands-based\u00a0<strong>Neo Shipping Inc.<\/strong>, the registered owner of the\u00a0<strong>ABHRA\u00a0<\/strong>(IMO 9282041), one of the fleet of vessels managed on behalf of Hossein\u2019s network<strong>.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>UAE-based\u00a0<strong>Elyas Jafer Tambe<\/strong>, who is associated with several shipping companies that are tied to Hossein\u2019s network, held various roles with multiple network companies, including Koban Shipping L.L.C.<\/p>\n<p>Alireza Derakhshan, Elyas Jafer Tambe, and Neo Shipping Inc. are being designated pursuant to E.O. 13902 for having materially assisted, sponsored, or provided financial, material, or technological support for, or goods or services to or in support of, Hossein Shamkhani.<\/p>\n<p>Captain Dynasty Shipping L.L.C\u00a0is being designated pursuant to E.O. 13902 for being owned or controlled by, or having acted or purported to act for or on behalf of, directly or indirectly,\u00a0Alireza Derakhshan.\u00a0 Pankaj Nagjibhai Patel is being designated pursuant to E.O. 13902 for being owned or controlled by, or having acted or purported to act for or on behalf of, directly or indirectly, Teodor Shipping L.L.C. \u00a0Elisabetta Cadeddu\u00a0is being designated pursuant to E.O. 13902 for being owned or controlled by, or having acted or purported to act for or on behalf of, directly or indirectly, Max Energy Fuel Trading L.L.C.\u00a0 Jacob Kurian and Anil Kumar Panackal Narayanan Nair are being designated pursuant to E.O. 13902 for being owned or controlled by, or having acted or purported to act for or on behalf of, directly or indirectly, Neo Shipping Inc.<\/p>\n<h3>Annex: Hossein\u2019s fleet<\/h3>\n<p>The following vessels are being blocked pursuant to E.O. 13902 for being in the interest of Hossein Shamkhani:<\/p>\n<p>Tanzania-flagged\u00a0<strong>URANUS<\/strong>\u00a0(IMO 9248485), Panamanian-flagged\u00a0<strong>OMNI<\/strong>\u00a0(IMO 9400980), which counts Draco Buren, Wanta Shipping L.L.C-FZ, and Armada Global Shipping DMCC among its former management and ownership, operate on behalf of Hossein Shamkhani. The URANUS and the OMNI are being identified pursuant to E.O. 13902 as property in the interest of Hossein.<\/p>\n<p>The Shamkhani network\u2019s fleet also includes vessels owned, managed, and operated by special purpose vehicles incorporated specifically for providing a legal and financial insulation around each of Hossein Shamkhani\u2019s vessels.\u00a0 The following management firms are being designated and their respective vessels are being blocked pursuant to E.O. 13902.<\/p>\n<p>The following vessels are being blocked for being property in the interest of The Zulu Ships Management and Operation &#8211; Sole Proprietorship L.L.C: the Panama-flagged\u00a0<strong>AETHER<\/strong>\u00a0(IMO 9328170),\u00a0<strong>APATE<\/strong>\u00a0(IMO 9433016),\u00a0<strong>BRIONT<\/strong>\u00a0(IMO 9252955),\u00a0<strong>ETHERA<\/strong>\u00a0(IMO 9387279),\u00a0<strong>MANASLU<\/strong>\u00a0(IMO 9388027),\u00a0<strong>MISHELL<\/strong>\u00a0(IMO 9332315),\u00a0<strong>MYRA<\/strong>\u00a0(IMO 9336490),\u00a0<strong>TAGOR<\/strong>\u00a0(IMO 9282481), and\u00a0<strong>TOA PAYOH<\/strong>\u00a0(IMO 9298492) and the Liberia-flagged\u00a0<strong>NEMRUT<\/strong>\u00a0(IMO 9439541) and\u00a0<strong>TASSOS<\/strong>\u00a0(IMO 9408695).<\/p>\n<p>The following vessels are being blocked in the interest of Algae Ship Charter &#8211; FZCO: the Liberia-flagged\u00a0<strong>ANTARES I<\/strong>\u00a0(IMO 9382073), the Panama-flagged\u00a0<strong>CHARMINAR<\/strong>\u00a0(IMO 9318022) and the unknown-flagged\u00a0<strong>EVENTIN<\/strong>\u00a0(IMO 9308065).<\/p>\n<p>Marshall Islands-based\u00a0<strong>Nova Lines Inc.\u00a0<\/strong>is the registered owner of Palau-flagged\u00a0<strong>ELKE<\/strong>\u00a0(IMO 9012886), which has transported Iranian petroleum products.\u00a0Nova Lines Inc. is being designated pursuant to E.O. 13902 for operating in the petroleum sector of the Iranian economy.\u00a0The ELKE is being identified as property in which Nova Lines Inc. has an interest.<\/p>\n<p>The following vessels are being blocked in the interest of Marvise SMC DMCC: the Liberia-flagged\u00a0<strong>ALE<\/strong>\u00a0(IMO 9303754),\u00a0<strong>BERTIE<\/strong>\u00a0(IMO 9241487),\u00a0<strong>BIGLI<\/strong>\u00a0(IMO 9307047),\u00a0<strong>HAKUNA MATATA<\/strong>\u00a0(IMO 9354167),\u00a0<strong>LIDIA<\/strong>\u00a0(IMO 9330501),\u00a0<strong>MOANA<\/strong>\u00a0(IMO 9292151),\u00a0<strong>PINOCCHIO<\/strong>\u00a0(IMO 9400112),\u00a0<strong>PUMBA<\/strong>\u00a0(IMO 9302566),\u00a0<strong>RANTANPLAN<\/strong>\u00a0(IMO 9307023),\u00a0<strong>SIMBA<\/strong>\u00a0(IMO 9719862),\u00a0<strong>STAR<\/strong>\u00a0(IMO 9436484),\u00a0<strong>TEX<\/strong>\u00a0(IMO 9246322),\u00a0<strong>TIMON<\/strong>\u00a0(IMO 9415844),\u00a0<strong>YOGI<\/strong>\u00a0(IMO 9307009),\u00a0<strong>ZAGOR<\/strong>\u00a0(IMO 9313242) and the San Marino-flagged\u00a0<strong>VANI\u00a0<\/strong>(IMO 9264881), which was formerly managed and operated by Progwin Shipping SA.<\/p>\n<p>The following vessels are being blocked in the interest of Reel Shipping L.L.C: the Saint Vincent and the Grenadines-flagged\u00a0<strong>ACE<\/strong>\u00a0(IMO 9228538); the Liberia-flagged\u00a0<strong>AEOLUS<\/strong>\u00a0(IMO 9088524),\u00a0<strong>ROB<\/strong>\u00a0(IMO 9236652), and\u00a0<strong>TB ANPING<\/strong>\u00a0(IMO 9237084); the St. Kitts and Nevis-flagged\u00a0<strong>CERUS<\/strong>\u00a0(IMO 9259408) and\u00a0<strong>DHANU<\/strong>\u00a0(IMO 9122473); and the Panama-flagged\u00a0<strong>GAUJA<\/strong>\u00a0(IMO 9348493).<\/p>\n<p>The following shipping firms are being designated pursuant to E.O. 13902 for having materially assisted, sponsored, or provided financial, material, or technological support for, or goods or services to or in support of Hossein Shamkhani. \u00a0Their respective vessels are being identified as blocked property pursuant to E.O. 13902:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Marshall Islands-based\u00a0<strong>Silver Tetra Marine Co.<\/strong>:<strong>\u00a0<\/strong>Liberia-flagged\u00a0<strong>GUANYIN<\/strong>\u00a0(IMO 9299707);<\/li>\n<li>Marshall Islands-based\u00a0<strong>Ravi Lines Inc<\/strong>:<strong>\u00a0<\/strong>Panama-flagged\u00a0<strong>IANTHE<\/strong>\u00a0(IMO 9554822);<\/li>\n<li>Marshall Islands-based\u00a0<strong>Kanti Lines Inc.<\/strong>: San Marino-flagged\u00a0<strong>KANTI<\/strong>\u00a0(IMO 9282106);<\/li>\n<li>Marshall Islands-based\u00a0<strong>Meuse Shipping Inc.<\/strong>:<strong>\u00a0<\/strong>Palau-flagged\u00a0<strong>IRIS<\/strong>\u00a0(IMO 9247778);<\/li>\n<li>Seychelles-based\u00a0<strong>Backstreet Palm Corp<\/strong>:<strong>\u00a0<\/strong>Vanuatu-flagged\u00a0<strong>YODAN<\/strong>\u00a0(IMO 9304356);<\/li>\n<li>Liberia-based\u00a0<strong>Mahadev Maritime Inc<\/strong>: Palau-flagged\u00a0<strong>MAHADEV<\/strong>\u00a0(IMO 9571052);<\/li>\n<li>Marshall Islands-based\u00a0<strong>Kylo Shipping Inc.<\/strong>: Comoros-flagged\u00a0<strong>KYLO<\/strong>\u00a0(IMO 9189146);<\/li>\n<li>Marshall Islands-based\u00a0<strong>Yug Shipping Inc.<\/strong>: Comoros-flagged\u00a0<strong>YUG<\/strong>\u00a0(IMO 9288875);<\/li>\n<li>Marshall Islands-based\u00a0<strong>Zale Shipping Inc.:\u00a0<\/strong>Panama-flagged\u00a0<strong>ZALE<\/strong>\u00a0(IMO 9321718);<\/li>\n<li>Marshall Islands-based\u00a0<strong>Neo Shipping Inc.<\/strong>: Panama-flagged\u00a0<strong>ABHRA<\/strong>\u00a0(IMO 9282041);<\/li>\n<li>Marshall Islands-based\u00a0<strong>Xante Line Inc.<\/strong>:<strong>\u00a0<\/strong>Panama-flagged\u00a0<strong>XANTE\u00a0<\/strong>(IMO 9554834).<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>SANCTIONS IMPLICATIONS\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>As a result of today\u2019s action, all property and interests in property of the designated or blocked persons described above that are in the United States or in the possession or control of U.S. persons are blocked and must be reported to OFAC.\u00a0 In addition, any entities that are owned, directly or indirectly, individually or in the aggregate, 50 percent or more by one or more blocked persons are also blocked.\u00a0Unless authorized by a general or specific license issued by OFAC, or exempt, OFAC\u2019s regulations generally prohibit all transactions by U.S. persons or within (or transiting) the United States that involve any property or interests in property of blocked persons.<\/p>\n<p>Violations of U.S. sanctions may result in the imposition of civil or criminal penalties on U.S. and foreign persons.\u00a0 OFAC may impose civil penalties for sanctions violations on a strict liability basis. \u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.ecfr.gov\/current\/title-31\/subtitle-B\/chapter-V\/part-501\/appendix-Appendix%20A%20to%20Part%20501\">OFAC\u2019s\u00a0Economic Sanctions Enforcement Guidelines<\/a>\u00a0provide more information regarding OFAC\u2019s enforcement of U.S. economic sanctions.\u00a0 In addition, financial institutions and other persons may risk exposure to sanctions for engaging in certain transactions or activities involving designated or otherwise blocked persons.\u00a0 The prohibitions include the making of any contribution or provision of funds, goods, or services by, to, or for the benefit of any designated or blocked person, or the receipt of any contribution or provision of funds, goods, or services from any such person.<\/p>\n<p>The power and integrity of OFAC sanctions derive not only from OFAC\u2019s ability to designate and add persons to the Specially Designated Nationals and Blocked Persons List (SDN List), but also from its willingness to remove persons from the SDN List consistent with the law.\u00a0 The ultimate goal of sanctions is not to punish, but to bring about a positive change in behavior.\u00a0 For information concerning the process for seeking removal from an OFAC list, including the SDN List, or to submit a request, please refer to OFAC\u2019s guidance on\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/ofac.treasury.gov\/specially-designated-nationals-list-sdn-list\/filing-a-petition-for-removal-from-an-ofac-list\">Filing a Petition for Removal from an OFAC List<\/a>.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>uly 30, 2025 Biggest Iran-related sanctions&#46;&#46;&#46;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[11,5],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-74330","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-business","category-world"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/lapost.us\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/74330","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/lapost.us\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/lapost.us\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lapost.us\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lapost.us\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=74330"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/lapost.us\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/74330\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":74331,"href":"https:\/\/lapost.us\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/74330\/revisions\/74331"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/lapost.us\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=74330"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lapost.us\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=74330"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lapost.us\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=74330"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}