US sanctions nine tankers over Iranian oil shipments amid protest crackdown

The US is sanctioning nine shadow fleet tankers and their respective owners or management firms for their role in shipping millions of dollars' worth of Iranian oil and petroleum products, including LPG.

The move comes in response to Iran's crackdown on peaceful protesters and is a part of US President Donald Trump's sanctions strategy against Tehran, the US Treasury Department's Office of Foreign Assets Control said in a Jan. 23 statement.

"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," US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said in the statement.

"Tehran's decision to support terrorists over its own people has caused Iran's currency and living conditions to be in free fall," Bessent said. "Today's sanctions target a critical component of how Iran generates the funds used to repress its own people."

The sanctioned vessels are linked to years of Iranian petroleum shipments, OFAC said.

Sanctioned tankers

Treasury sanctioned the Sea Bird, the Avon, and the Al Diab II for shipping Iranian LPG, OFAC said. The sanctions also target the tankers' respective owners or managers: United Arab Emirates-based Horizon Harvest Shipping, India-based Aayat Ship Management, and Oman-based Black Stone Oil and Gas, the statement said.

Treasury also sanctioned the Cesaria and its owner, Seychelles-based Galeran Service, for transporting millions of barrels of Iranian crude oil to East Asia, OFAC said.

Treasury sanctioned the Longevity 7 and its owner, Marshall Islands-based Longevity Shipping, for transporting Iranian clean condensate and methanol, the statement said.

Treasury also sanctioned the Eastern Hero and its owner, Marshall Islands-based Odyssey Marine, for shipping hundreds of thousands of barrels of Iranian high sulfur fuel oil since 2025, the statement said.

The sanctions also targeted the Aqua Spirit and its owner, Liberia-based Benoil Shipping, for shipping hundreds of thousands of barrels of Iranian petroleum products, including LPG, since 2025, OFAC said.

Treasury also sanctioned the Chiron 5 and the Keel and their owner, Marshall Islands-based Trade Bridge Global, for shipping hundreds of thousands of barrels of Iranian naphtha since 2025, the statement said.

At the same time, OFAC issued a license authorizing, through Feb. 22, the safe docking and anchoring of the tankers, except at ports in Iran, Russia or Venezuela. The license also allows the delivery and offloading of cargo, provided the cargo is not of Iranian origin and was loaded on or before Jan. 23.

The license also allows for the preservation of the crew's health and safety, as well as emergency repairs or environmental mitigation activities. The license does not allow entry into new commercial contracts.