US imposes fresh sanctions on Iran's shadow fleet
USA and Iranian flags are seen in this illustration taken, September 8, 2022. REUTERS/Dado Ruvic/Illustration Purchase Licensing Rights , opens new tab Summary Sanctions target individuals, networks and 17 vessels transporting crude, oil products and petrochemicals Treasury says operation aims to cut funding for war, missile construction, cyberattacks and IRGC Impact may be muted after Iran delivered virtually all oil at sea, analyst says WASHINGTON, Oct 8 (Reuters) - The US imposed fresh sanctions on Iran on Thursday, targeting individuals, networks and 17 vessels for transporting Iranian crude, oil products and petrochemicals, the Treasury Department said, as Washington stepped up economic pressure on Tehran. The sanctions are part of the department's "Operation Economic Outcast," which aims to cut Iran's funding for the war with the US, missile construction, cyberattacks and the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, or IRGC. Sign up here. "Today's action represents the most significant blow yet to Iran's remaining illicit maritime infrastructure by neutralizing the vast majority of the shadow fleet," a Treasury official told reporters on a call. "Treasury is cutting off the regime's last major source of illicit revenue and strengthening international pressure to hold Tehran accountable." The move tightens the squeeze on Iranian oil sales after the US reimposed its blockade of Iranian ports on July 14 following the breakdown of a memorandum of understanding between Tehran and Washington to end the war. Iran has only about 20 million barrels of crude oil left on vessels outside the blockade, off Singapore , Malaysia and China , the Treasury official said. The world uses about 100 million barrels of oil per day. A second Treasury official said Iran has stopped loading and offloading crude oil vessels due to the blockade and sanctions. President Donald Trump said on social media on Thursday that the US is having "productive discussions" with Iran over the war that began on February 28. Trump said the US will not attack Iran before the midterm elections on November 3. An analyst said the fact that the US is sanctioning vessels after Iran has delivered virtually all of its oil at sea means the impact will be muted. "This is economic warfare conducted in the rearview mirror, designed to generate headlines rather than results," said Brett Erickson, a managing principal at Obsidian Risk Advisors. Vessels targeted by the US sanctions include the Comoros-flagged Paritosh, the Panama-flagged Bitu and the Bahamas-flagged Gas Lucky. Adds background on fresh sanctions throughout, analyst comment in paragraphs 8-9 Reporting by Timothy Gardner and Daphne Psaledakis; Editing by Michelle Nichols, Nia Williams and Paul Simao Our Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles. , opens new tab Suggested Topics: Middle East X Facebook Linkedin Email Link Purchase Licensing Rights Timothy Gardner Thomson Reuters Timothy reports on energy and environment policy and is based in Washington, D.C. His coverage ranges from the latest in nuclear power, to environment regulations, to U.S. sanctions and geopolitics. He has been a member of three teams in the past two years that have won Reuters best journalism of the year awards. As a cyclist he is happiest outside. Email X Linkedin Daphne Psaledakis Thomson Reuters Daphne Psaledakis is a breaking news correspondent based in Washington, D.C. She previously covered foreign policy for Reuters, including the State Department and U.S. sanctions. She has covered the administration of President Donald Trump, the rollout of U.S. sanctions on Russia after Moscow’s invasion of Ukraine and U.S. negotiations with Rwanda and Democratic Republic of Congo, among other issues. She previously completed an Overseas Press Club Foundation fellowship with Reuters in Brussels, covering the European Union. Daphne holds a Bachelor of Journalism in Print and Digital News and a Bachelor of Arts in International Studies from the University of Missouri. Email X Linkedin