The Trump administration has announced a new round of Iran-related sanctions, targeting 13 entities based in Hong Kong, China, the United Arab Emirates, and the Marshall Islands, as well as eight vessels, the U.S. Treasury Department reported Thursday.
The sanctions specifically target Greek national Antonios Margaritis and his network of companies and vessels, which the Treasury claims were involved in transporting Iranian oil exports in violation of existing sanctions.
Among the newly designated entities are Ares Shipping Limited in Hong Kong, Comford Management in the Marshall Islands, and Hong Kong Hangshun Shipping Limited. The targeted crude oil tankers include the Panama-flagged Adeline G and Kongm, and Lafit under the Sao Tome and Principe flag.
Additionally, the U.S. State Department sanctioned two China-based operators of oil-related terminals and storage facilities, which handled Iranian oil imports aboard tankers previously targeted by U.S. sanctions.
The sanctions come after Iran suspended nuclear talks with Washington following U.S. and Israeli strikes on Iranian nuclear sites in June. Iran maintains it does not seek to develop atomic weapons but has stated that the moment for “effective” nuclear negotiations has not yet arrived, while committing not to completely cut off cooperation with the U.N. nuclear watchdog.
