Washington, March 2. The United States on Thursday sanctioned six companies from Vietnam, China, Iran and the United Arab Emirates for being involved in transporting or selling Iranian petroleum products.
The State Department said in a statement the sanctions, which also affected 20 vessels.
“The United States is committed to significantly reducing Iranian energy exports and will sanction those who facilitate Iranian trade in petroleum and petrochemicals,” Secretary of State Antony Blinken said in the statement.
Specifically, the sanctions target Vietnam-based joint-stock company Golden Lotus Oil Gas and Real Estate for “knowingly” participating in “a major transaction for the transportation of petroleum products from Iran.”
Also against the Chinese Global Marine Ship Mgmt and Shanghai Xuanrun Shpg and the Emirati Swedish Management Co. for “knowingly participating in a major petrochemical transport transaction from Iran”.
And finally, to the Iranian companies Shiraz Petrochemical and Bushehr Petrochemical “for having knowingly participated in a major transaction for the sale of petrochemical products from Iran”.
The Department has also designated 20 vessels as blocked property of these sanctioned entities.
As a result of this Thursday’s action, all property and interests resulting from those sanctioned that are in the United States, or in the possession or control of U.S. persons, will be blocked.
“These designations underscore our continued efforts to enforce our sanctions against Iran. We will not hesitate to take action against those who attempt to circumvent our sanctions,” Blinken added.