On June 27, 2024, the United States announced new sanctions in response to Iran’s nuclear advances. Tehran had expanded its capacity to enrich uranium to high levels that had no credible civilian purpose. “We remain committed to never letting Iran obtain a nuclear weapon, and we are prepared to use all elements of national power to ensure that outcome,” Secretary Antony Blinken warned.
The State Department sanctioned three United Arab Emirates companies involved in the transport of Iranian oil or petrochemical products. Petrochemicals, derived from oil and natural gas, are essential to manufacturing paints, plastics, solar panels, medicine, and mobile phones that facilitate modern life. The State Department also listed 11 ships linked to the three firms as blocked property.
U.S. administrations, both Republican and Democrat, have struggled with how to pressure Iran on its nuclear escalations, but Washington's tools are limited. The following is a statement from Secretary Blinken and a fact sheet on the new sanctions.
Secretary Blinken’s Statement
"Over the past month, Iran has announced steps to further expand its nuclear program in ways that have no credible peaceful purpose. Iran’s actions to increase its enrichment capacity are all the more concerning in light of Iran’s continued failure to cooperate with the IAEA and statements by Iranian officials suggesting potential changes to Iran’s nuclear doctrine.
"In response to these continued nuclear escalations, the United States is today taking action against entities and vessels involved in the Iranian petroleum and petrochemical trade. The Department of State is imposing sanctions on three entities involved in the transport of Iranian petroleum and petrochemical products and identifying 11 vessels associated with these entities as blocked property.
"We remain committed to never letting Iran obtain a nuclear weapon, and we are prepared to use all elements of national power to ensure that outcome. As President Biden and the other leaders of the G7 stated earlier this month, Iran must cease its escalations with regard to its nuclear program as well as its other destabilizing actions."
FACT SHEET: Designating Entities and Vessels Engaged in Iranian Petroleum or Petrochemical Products Trade
The Department of State is imposing sanctions today on three United Arab Emirates companies involved in the transport of Iranian petroleum or petrochemical products, under Executive Order (E.O.) 13846.
- Sea Route Ship Management FZE is involved in the transport of Iranian petrochemical products as the commercial manager of the vessel ASTRA (IMO 9162928). Sea Route Ship Management FZE knowingly engaged in a significant transaction for the transport on the ASTRA of petrochemical products from Iran in late November 2021. Sea Route Ship Management FZE is being designated pursuant to section 3(a)(iii) of E.O. 13846 for on or after November 5, 2018, having knowingly engaged in a significant transaction for the purchase, acquisition, sale, transport, or marketing of petrochemical products from Iran.
- Almanac Ship Management LLC is involved in the transport of Iranian petroleum products as the commercial manager of the vessel BERENICE PRIDE (IMO 9216559). Almanac Ship Management LLC knowingly engaged in a significant transaction for the transport on the BERENICE PRIDE of petroleum products from Iran in late October 2022. Almanac Ship Management LLC is being designated pursuant to section 3(a)(ii) of E.O. 13846 for on or after November 5, 2018, having knowingly engaged in a significant transaction for the purchase, acquisition, sale, transport, or marketing of petroleum or petroleum products from Iran.
- Al Anchor Ship Management FZE is involved in the transport of Iranian petroleum products as the commercial manager of the vessel PARINE (IMO 9257503). Al Anchor Ship Management FZE knowingly engaged in a significant transaction for the transport on the PARINE of petroleum products from Iran in late October 2022. Al Anchor Ship Management FZE is being designated pursuant to section 3(a)(ii) of E.O. 13846 for on or after November 5, 2018, having knowingly engaged in a significant transaction for the purchase, acquisition, sale, transport, or marketing of petroleum or petroleum products from Iran.
The Department is also identifying these 11 vessels associated with these entities as blocked property:
- ASTRA
- BALTIC HORIZON
- NILE
- YAMUNA
- BERENICE PRIDE
- HARMONY
- EURO VIKING
- EURO FORTUNE
- ARABIAN ENERGY
- PARINE
- ROAD
As a result of today’s action, all property and interests in property of these targets that are in the United States, that hereafter come within the United States, or that are or hereafter come within the possession or control of any U.S. persons, including any foreign branches, are blocked and must be reported to the Department of the Treasury’s Office of Assets Control (OFAC.) In addition, any entities that are owned, directly or indirectly, 50 percent or more by one or more blocked persons are also blocked. OFAC’s regulations generally prohibit all dealings by U.S. persons or within the United States (including transactions transiting the United States) that involve any property or interests in property of blocked or designated persons.