OFAC targets shadow fleet vessels and facilitators supporting Iranian oil exports

WASHINGTON-Today, amidst the Iranian regime's brutal crackdown on peaceful protestors and its complete shutdown of internet access to conceal its abuses against the Iranian people, the U.S. Department of the Treasury's Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) is increasing pressure on the regime's shadow fleet. OFAC is targeting nine shadow fleet vessels and their respective owners or management firms that have collectively transported hundreds of millions of dollars' worth of Iranian oil and petroleum products to foreign markets. This revenue, which rightfully belongs to the Iranian people, is instead diverted to fund its regional terrorist proxies, weapons programs, and security services, instead of the basic economic services the Iranian people have bravely demanded.

"The Iranian regime is engaged in a ritual of economic self-immolation-a process that has been accelerated by President Trump's maximum pressure campaign. Tehran's decision to support terrorists over its own people has caused Iran's currency and living conditions to be in free fall," said Secretary of the Treasury Scott Bessent. "Today's sanctions target a critical component of how Iran generates the funds used to repress its own people. As previously outlined, Treasury will continue to track the tens of millions of dollars that the regime has stolen and is desperately attempting to wire to banks outside of Iran."

Today's action was taken pursuant to Executive Order (E.O.) 13902, which targets Iran's petroleum and petrochemical sectors. It continues the robust sanctions campaign targeting Iranian oil sales in support of the President's National Security Presidential Memorandum 2 (NSPM-2), instituting maximum economic pressure on Iran.

shadow fleet ACTORS

Today's action includes vessels used to transport Iranian crude oil and other Iranian petroleum products. These vessels are owned and operated by a group of companies operating out of various jurisdictions, largely established for the sole purpose of owning and managing their respective vessels. The following vessels are linked to years of Iranian petroleum shipments, including significant volumes in 2025 that continue into 2026.

• The Palau-flagged SEA BIRD (IMO 9088536), managed and operated by United Arab Emirates (UAE)-based Horizon Harvest Shipping LLC, has transported hundreds of thousands of barrels of Iranian liquified petroleum gas (LPG) to East Asia, Djibouti, and UAE.
• The Comoros-flagged AVON (IMO 9034705), owned, operated, and managed by India-based Aayat Ship Management Private Limited, transported multiple shipments of Iranian LPG to Bangladesh and Pakistan in 2025.
• The Palau-flagged AL DIAB II (IMO 9053816), owned, managed, and operated by Oman-based Black Stone Oil and Gas, transported multiple shipments of Iranian LPG to Pakistan and Somalia in 2025.
• The Palau-flagged CESARIA (IMO 9251602), owned by Seychelles-based Galeran Service Corp, has transported millions of barrels of Iranian crude oil to East Asia since late 2025.
• The unknown-flagged LONGEVITY 7 (IMO 9240885), owned and managed by Marshall Islands-based Longevity Shipping Limited, transported hundreds of thousands of barrels of Iranian clean condensate received via a ship-to-ship transfer.
  LONGEVITY 7 also carried multiple cargoes of Iranian methanol in 2022. The LONGEVITY 7 has operated as part of the Iranian shadow fleet since at least 2020, transporting Iranian petrochemicals to East Asia.
• The Palau-flagged EASTERN HERO (IMO 9353905), owned by Marshall Islands-based Odyssey Marine Inc., has transported hundreds of thousands of barrels of Iranian high sulfur fuel oil since 2025.
• The Panama-flagged AQUA SPIRIT (IMO 9197727), owned by Liberia-based Benoil Shipping Inc, has transported hundreds of thousands of barrels of Iranian petroleum products, including LPG, to Pakistan and other locations since 2025.
• The Comoros-flagged CHIRON 5 (IMO 9306665) and KEEL (IMO 9176929), both of which are owned, managed, and operated by Marshall Islands-based Trade Bridge Global Inc., have transported hundreds of thousands of barrels of Iranian naphtha
  since 2025.

The following companies are being designated pursuant to E.O. 13902 for operating in the petroleum sector of the Iranian economy:

• Horizon Harvest Shipping LLC;
• Aayat Ship Management Private Limited;
• Black Stone Oil and Gas;
• Galeran Service Corp;
• Longevity Shipping Limited;
• Odyssey Marine Inc.;
• Benoil Shipping Inc; and
• Trade Bridge Global Inc.

The following vessels are being identified as blocked property of the previously identified blocked persons:

• SEA BIRD (Horizon Harvest Shipping L.L.C);
• AVON (Aayat Ship Management Private Limited);
• AL DIAB II (Black Stone Oil and Gas).;
• CESARIA (Galeran Service Corp);
• LONGEVITY 7 (Longevity Shipping Limited);
• EASTERN HERO (Odyssey Marine Inc.);
• AQUA SPIRIT (Benoil Shipping Inc);
• CHIRON 5 and KEEL (Trade Bridge Global Inc)

SANCTIONS IMPLICATIONS

As a result of today's action, all property and interests in property of the designated or blocked persons described above that are in the United States or in the possession or control of U.S. persons are blocked and must be reported to OFAC. In addition, any entities that are owned, directly or indirectly, individually or in the aggregate, 50 percent or more by one or more blocked persons are also blocked. Unless authorized by OFAC, or exempt, OFAC's regulations generally prohibit all transactions by U.S. persons or within (or transiting) the United States that involve any property or interests in property of blocked persons.

Violations of U.S. sanctions may result in the imposition of civil or criminal penalties on U.S. and foreign persons. OFAC may impose civil penalties for sanctions violations on a strict liability basis. OFAC's Economic Sanctions Enforcement Guidelines provide more information regarding OFAC's enforcement of U.S. economic sanctions. In addition, financial institutions and other persons may risk exposure to sanctions for engaging in certain transactions or activities involving designated or otherwise blocked persons. The prohibitions include the making of any contribution or provision of funds, goods, or services by, to, or for the benefit of any designated or blocked person, or the receipt of any contribution or provision of funds, goods, or services from any such person.

The power and integrity of OFAC sanctions derive not only from OFAC's ability to designate and add persons to the SDN List, but also from its willingness to remove persons from the SDN List consistent with the law. The ultimate goal of sanctions is not to punish, but to bring about a positive change in behavior. For information concerning the process for seeking removal from an OFAC list, including the SDN List, or to submit a request, please refer to OFAC's guidance on Filing a Petition for Removal from an OFAC List

Click here for more information on the persons designated and any property identified as blocked property today.

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