UANI Statement on Secretary Rubio’s Trip to Panama

UANI Applauds President Trump’s Maximum Pressure Campaign and Demands Panama Immediately Cease Flagging Iran’s Ghost Armada Tankers and Verifiably Commit to Never Again Flagging its Oil Smuggling Vessels 

(New York, NY) – United Against Nuclear Iran (UANI) Chairman Governor Jeb Bush and CEO Ambassador Mark D. Wallace released the following statement today as U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio prepares to travel to Panama in the coming days.

“We applaud President Trump for beginning the reimplementation of his successful maximum pressure campaign against Iran’s regime. Secretary Rubio’s forthcoming trip to Panama is a profound opportunity to enhance these efforts.

“Panama has been a longstanding and close U.S. partner in Central America. But flagging vessels that resource the Iranian regime, the leading state-sponsor of terrorism that espouses pathological anti-Americanism at its very core, significantly deviates outside the spirit of that partnership. 

“We call on Panama to immediately and verifiably confirm that it will de-flag all ships identified by UANI as part of the ‘Ghost Armada’ that is evading U.S. sanctions. We also call on Panama to cease and desist from flagging all vessels smuggling Iranian energy products in the future. 

“Of the 477 vessels that form the Ghost Armada, 20% are currently flagged by the Panama Maritime Authority (AMP), one of the world’s biggest and most famous flag registries. This makes Panama the number one flagger of such vessels.

“Panama has made improvements recently. It de-flagged 133 vessels in 2024 and amended its internal process to revoke flags due to UANI pressure. But its continued flagging of the oil smuggling vessels financing the leading state-sponsor of terrorism is regrettable. This must change.

“Secretary Rubio has been a leading voice on this issue, especially when he was in the U.S. Senate. During his visit, we demand that Panama verifiably commit to de-flagging all Ghost Armada tankers and pledge to cease and desist from flagging additional Iranian oil smuggling vessels right now. If Panama does not comply, the Trump administration should sanction relevant entities and individuals in Panama enabling this flagging.”

To review UANI’s Ghost Armada list, please click here.