International Sanctions: Implications for Shipbrokers

United Against Nuclear Iran (UANI) is a US-based lobby group whose influence stems in part from its leadership which includes former high-ranking US officials and intelligence figures such as Jeb Bush and former directors of Mossad. Through its intelligence-gathering efforts and high-profile public advocacy, UANI has played a significant role in shaping US sanctions policy. Its campaigns have contributed to the de-flagging of hundreds of vessels and the designation of over 100 tankers by the US. Given this track record, it is prudent for brokers and maritime stakeholders to consult the vessel watchlist published by UANI as part of their due diligence. While not an official sanctions list, UANI’s designations often precede or influence formal US government action, making them a valuable early warning tool for assessing the sanctions exposure risk of a vessel. This recommendation is directed at brokers and operators not subject to the jurisdiction of the EU or the UK. Individuals and entities within the EU or UK are bound by their respective blocking statutes, which prohibit compliance with certain extraterritorial US sanctions.