UANI Applauds President Trump for the Seizure of Iran Sanctioned Oil Tanker BERTHA

U.S. Also Sanctions Seven Tankers on UANI’s Ghost Armada List

(New York, NY) - United Against Nuclear Iran (UANI) Chairman Governor Jeb Bush and CEO Ambassador Mark D. Wallace issued the following statement after the U.S. seizure of the supertanker BERTHA (IMO 9292163) in the northern Indian Ocean, southeast of Sri Lanka:

“The seizure of MT BERTHA is another major victory for U.S. sanctions enforcement. By directing the Department of War to seize this vessel, President Trump has reaffirmed that Iran’s oil-smuggling network will not operate with impunity.

“MT BERTHA was placed on UANI’s Ghost Armada list in May 2023 and then sanctioned by OFAC in December 2024 for transporting illicit Iranian petroleum to foreign markets. Since 2022, MT BERTHA has transported 8.7 million barrels of Iranian crude, generating over $609 million for the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC). This illegal oil trade bankrolls the IRGC’s nuclear program, terror networks, and violent apparatus of domestic repression. It must end.

“UANI previously highlighted that MT BERTHA was the last oil‑laden tanker remaining at large from the original 16 that broke through a U.S. Navy blockade last month. MT BERTHA was intercepted by U.S. naval forces operating from an Expeditionary Sea Base (T‑ESB) vessel while carrying approximately 1.8 million barrels of Venezuelan crude oil.

“This marks the 10th seizure of a ghost fleet vessel since December 2025 and the third in the Indian Ocean, underscoring the effectiveness of U.S. enforcement and the growing global reach of these operations. No distance is too great—and no vessel too hidden—to escape accountability.

“MT BERTHA’s seizure sends a powerful message to the captains, crews, and owners of dark fleet vessels: the Trump administration is watching, tracking, and ready to act. 

“The seizure of MT BERTHA has been reinforced by Wednesday’s OFAC designations targeting Iran’s shadow fleet and the networks moving Iranian petroleum products to foreign markets, aimed at driving Tehran’s illicit oil exports to zero. Seven of the tankers sanctioned in this tranche were previously placed on UANI’s Ghost Armada list, namely: OCEAN KOI (IMO 9255933), NORTH STAR (IMO 9299563), FELICITA (IMO 9167162), NIBA (IMO 9046784), REMIZ (IMO 9223344), DENUTA I (IMO 9193721), and ALAA (IMO 9155341).

“We urge the global maritime community to follow America’s lead by denying port access, insurance, and services to these deceptive tankers, and by helping to end Iran’s dark fleet trade for good.”