By Pishtaz | 2024-05-03

The US Treasury in April issued further sanctions against Iranian companies helping the regime support Russia's war in Ukraine, including Sepehr Energy.

The Treasury sanctioned two companies -- Onden General Trading and Saone Shipping Corporation -- and a vessel involved in the shipment of Iranian commodities for Sepehr Energy.

Sepehr Energy was designated in November 2023 for playing a leading role in the commercial activities of Iran's Armed Forces General Staff (AFGS) and Ministry of Defense and Armed Forces Logistics (MODAFL).

Onden General Trading FZE is a United Arab Emirates (UAE)-based broker that sold Iranian commodities on Sepehr Energy's behalf to be delivered off shore near Singapore.

The shipment, valued at several tens of millions of dollars, was loaded in the Arabian Gulf aboard a vessel disguising itself as a different vessel, the US Treasury said April 25.

The crude oil tanker La Pearl, also known as the Elite, received the cargo via a ship-to-ship (STS) transfer from another vessel in mid-April in international waters near Singapore.

Panama-based Saone Shipping Corporation is the operator and owner of the La Pearl.

Series of sanctions

The sanctions on Sepehr Energy are part of a recent series of sanctions on over one dozen entities, individuals and vessels that have played a central role in facilitating the clandestine sale of Iranian commodities and unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) for Iran's MODAFL.

MODAFL is itself involved in supporting Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) and Russia's war in Ukraine.

Earlier in April, the US Treasury identified another Sepehr-linked ship conducting illicit activity.

The Hecate crude oil tanker, managed by UAE-based Oceanlink Maritime DMCC, recently loaded Iranian commodities valued at over $100 million dollars via STS transfer from another sanctioned tanker, the Dover, on behalf of Sepehr Energy, the Treasury said April 4.

"We are focused on disrupting Iran's ability to finance its terrorist proxy and partner groups and support to Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine," said US Treasury official Brian E. Nelson.

"The United States will continue to use our full range of tools to target the illicit funding streams that enable Iran's destabilizing activities in the region and around the world," he added.

The Treasury said the latest sanctions were concurrent with sanctions announced by Britain and Canada targeting Iran's UAV procurement and other military-related activities.

A week earlier Washington targeted 16 people and two companies involved in Iran's UAV program.

The United States also targeted five companies providing parts for Iran's steel industry, and an automaker involved in providing "material support" to the IRGC.