US targets VLCCs, Aframaxes and LPG carriers in new Iran sanctions round

The US Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) has added 10 vessels to its sanctions list – six tankers and four LPG carriers. The tankers include two VLCCs, three Aframaxes, and one Panamax.

With this latest action, the US has now sanctioned more than 170 vessels “responsible for shipping Iranian petroleum and petroleum products.”

The measures follow a major round of sanctions introduced in October that also concentrated on the Iranian LPG trade, placing a double-digit number of vessels under restrictions.

“Today’s action continues the Treasury’s campaign to cut off funding for the Iranian regime’s development of nuclear weapons and support of terrorist proxies,” said Secretary of the Treasury Scott Bessent.

OFAC also announced further actions against Iranian airline Mahan Air, which it said has “worked closely with the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps–Qods Force to arm and supply Iran-backed groups across the Middle East.”

Network of companies targeted

Among the entities sanctioned for operating the so-called shadow fleet is Sepehr Energy Jahan, described by OFAC as the Armed Forces General Staff’s oil-sales arm. According to the agency, the company uses “an array of front companies and shadow fleet vessels to obfuscate its illicit activities and sell billions of dollars’ worth of Iranian oil each year.”

OFAC noted that in late 2024 and early 2025, Sepehr Energy Jahan used UAE-based vessel-chartering firm Luan Bird to ship Iranian oil.

The Treasury has also designated UAE-based Mars Investment LLC, Panama-based Loire Shipping Inc, and Greece-based Altomare SA for “materially supporting” Sepehr Energy Jahan.

In addition, UAE-based Moon Line has been added as a “front company” acting as a “shipper of Iranian military oil cargoes.” Other companies sanctioned include UAE-based Alsafeenah, for “providing ship-to-ship services in the Persian Gulf”; India-based RN Ship Management, for “operating vessels that shipped Iranian oil”; and Germany-based BPT Berlin, which “sought to purchase millions of barrels of Iranian crude from Sepehr Energy Jahan.”

Sanctions also extend to several vessel owners and operators: Liberia-registered Pioneer Tankers Marine Inc and Panama-based Thasos Maritime and Trading SA, Serifos Maritime and Trading SA, Tilos Maritime and Trading SA, and Corfu Maritime and Trading SA.