UANI’s Shipping Campaign Roundup 2024
Your Support Propels Real Impact Against Iran’s Illicit Oil Trade
(New York, N.Y.) — In 2024, Iran exported a staggering 587 million barrels of oil—an increase of 10.75% from 2023. This marks a total of nearly 1.98 billion barrels exported since the start of the Biden Administration, despite sanctions aimed at curbing these activities.
This illicit revenue fuels Tehran’s human rights abuses, nuclear ambitions, and proxies like Hezbollah and Hamas. With your help, United Against Nuclear Iran (UANI) has been at the forefront of exposing and disrupting these operations.
For the sixth consecutive year since the launch of UANI’s Tanker Tracker, China was the largest importer of Iranian oil, receiving 533 million barrels in 2024—a 24% increase from 2023’s 431 million barrels. This accounted for 91% of Iran’s total oil exports, up from 83% the previous year. This growth highlights China’s near-total dominance in importing Iranian crude, driven largely by the “teapot” refineries located in Shandong province along China’s east coast.
With precision and persistence, UANI continues to provide actionable intelligence to insurers and flag states, leading to the revocation of certifications, insurance, and flags for vessels engaged in sanctions evasion. Our senior team actively advises elected officials and has delivered expert testimony before Congress on Iran’s sanctions evasion tactics. Described by the Wall Street Journal as offering “the best public data,” UANI’s analysis not only makes sanctions evasion increasingly difficult but ensures these illicit activities do not go unnoticed by global authorities.
UANI’s impact was exemplified in the case of the Iranian oil tanker SUEZ RAJAN, which led to its U.S. seizure in April 2023. The U.S. Department of Justice recognized UANI for its “valuable assistance” in this groundbreaking case—the first criminal resolution involving a company supporting Iran’s oil smuggling. This landmark effort was featured in a powerful TV documentary that premiered in September 2024, providing an in-depth look at UANI’s vital role in uncovering Iran’s dark fleet of ghost ships.
To sustain this essential work, we rely on the generous support of individuals like you. Your tax-deductible contributions empower us to dismantle Iran’s smuggling networks and cut off the regime’s economic lifeline. With your support, we can maintain momentum in holding Iran accountable for its actions and protecting global security.
Leadership and Impact
United States Senate Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs | Letter to Janet Yellen, Secretary of the Treasury
December 5, 2024
United Against Nuclear Iran (UANI) provides valuable public data, such as through its tanker tracker and “Ghost Armada” analysis, monitoring vessels moving Iranian oil, especially to and from Kharg Island. Given the capabilities of the United States Government, we are confident that the Treasury has access to additional intelligence sources to further these efforts.
One Hundred People: Claire Jungman, United Against Nuclear Iran | Lloyd’s List
December 2, 2024
Claire Jungman, UANI’s Chief of Staff, continues to expose deceptive shipping practices and illuminate one of shipping’s darkest corners. Jungman and UANI will likely play an important role in the Trump administration's expected dark fleet crackdown.
Report to Congress of the U.S.-China Economic and Security Review Commission
November 2024
UANI is cited on at least five occasions in the 2024 Report to Congress of the U.S.-China Economic and Security Review Commission, including on sanctioned oil and direct references to UANI’s tanker tracking initiative.
Turkish National Arrested for Allegedly Conspiring to Violate Venezuela-Related Sanctions
November 4, 2024
Taskin Torlak, 37, of Turkey, was arrested in Miami, on Nov. 2 for allegedly conspiring to violate U.S. sanctions as part of a scheme to transport oil from Venezuela for the benefit of Petróleos de Venezuela, S.A. (PdVSA), Venezuela’s state-owned oil and natural gas company. UANI cited in the Affidavit.
Why We Should Return to ‘Maximum Pressure’ Against Iran | Governor Jeb Bush and Claire Jungman for the Washington Post
October 31, 2024
Our organization (UANI) has tracked the impact of sanctions, particularly in exposing Iran’s illegal ship-to-ship transfers of oil, which it uses to evade enforcement. The numbers tell a story: According to our tracking data, between May 2019 and January 2021, Iran’s oil exports averaged 710,447 barrels per day (BPD).
UANI’s Efforts Drive October’s Tanker Designations, Targeting Iran’s Illicit Oil Trade
October
October 18, 2024
United Against Nuclear Iran (UANI) CEO Ambassador Mark D. Wallace released the following statement in response to the U.S. Department of the Treasury’s announcement on Thursday of targeted sanctions on the Iranian petroleum and petrochemical sectors, and those announced last week following Iran’s missile attack on Israel on October 1.
How Iran Sells Oil To China And Gets Around Sanctions? | DW News | Interview
October 9, 2024
What is the "shadow fleet" that Iran uses to sell oil to China, its loyal customer? And how does this fleet work to help Iran circumvent Western sanctions? Interview with UANI Chief of Staff Claire Jungman.
Stop Harboring Iranian Petroleum (SHIP) Act
October 8, 2024
A letter to officials, including U.S. Secretary of State Anthony Blinken and U.S. Secretary of the Treasury Janet Yellen, from seven senators, cites UANI tanker tracking analysis and asks for the government to honor the reporting deadlines and enforcement requirements prescribed within the SHIP Act. “According to United Against Nuclear Iran, a non-partisan watchdog organization that tracks Iranian oil shipment, Iran exported 1,626,866 barrels per day in August 2024.”
Suez Rajan Documentary Premiere
September 24, 2024
UANI hosted the premiere of this powerful documentary produced by Iran International TV and set against the backdrop of UANI’s Tanker Tracking Program, which provided a behind-the-scenes account of the Suez Rajan case, revealing how Iran employs a fleet of "ghost ships" to circumvent sanctions, generating illicit revenue to fund terrorist organizations like Hezbollah, Hamas, and the Houthis. The screening, held at New York’s Park Avenue Screening Room on September 24, during the opening of the U.N. General Assembly, featured a keynote address by U.S. Senator Dan Sullivan (R-AK), a message from UANI Chairman, Governor Jeb Bush, and an insightful panel discussion with Ambassador Mark D. Wallace, CEO of UANI; Claire Jungman, Chief of Staff and Director of UANI’s Tanker Tracker Program; and Tomer Ranaan, Senior Maritime Reporter at Lloyds List.
Allred Leads Bipartisan Effort Urging Treasury Department To Crack Down On Iran’s Use Of Illicit Shipping To Avoid Sanctions On Oil Exports | Congressman Colin Allred
April 24, 2024
Congressman Colin Allred (D-TX-32), a member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, today led a bipartisan effort urging the U.S. Department of Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) to expand efforts to prevent Iran from using illicit and deceptive shipping practices to circumvent U.S. sanctions on oil exports. “The United States’ efforts to limit Iranian petroleum and petroleum product exports through a complex sanctions regime go back decades and have often historically compelled Tehran to either deter, constrain, or encourage change in its adversarial behavior,” wrote the Members. “Unfortunately, as time passes, it is evident that Iran has uncovered means to circumvent our economic restrictions.” “...as technology advances and Tehran’s evasive methods continue to become more sophisticated, it is paramount that the United States, along with its allies and partners, remain flexible to respond to Iran’s threats and protect our national security interests in the region,” the Members continued.
The World Is Failing To Take Financial Measures Against Iran’s Terror Threat | UANI Research Director Daniel Roth For The Hill
April 16, 2024
For a time after 9/11, it was clear that intergovernmental cooperation would be necessary to stop terror financing and money laundering by terror groups. But the world is moving on to a new and more dangerous dynamic. U.S. allies in Europe and the Middle East are ignoring the recommendations and directives of the Financial Action Task Force, one of the most critical groups in the world in the effort to protect banks from unlawful activities. As a result, the likelihood has long been rising of confrontations with terrorism in the streets or on the battlefield, instead of on bank balance sheets. Iran’s massive drone and missile attack against Israel over the weekend may be just the beginning.
UANI-Identified Tankers Sanctioned By U.S. Department Of The Treasury
March 7, 2024
On Thursday, the U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) acted against two Hong Kong and Marshall Islands-owned ship vessels for their role in supporting the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps-Qods Force (IRGC-QF)-backed Houthi financial facilitator Sa’id al-Jamal. The two vessels in question – Palau-flagged RENEEZ and Panama-flagged ETERNAL FORTUNE – were identified last year by United Against Nuclear Iran (UANI) and added to its running list of foreign-flagged vessels suspected of involvement in the transfer of Iranian crude oil and/or petroleum products.
Webinar: The Stakes Of Houthi Aggression Against International Shipping Since Oct. 7
January 30, 2024
The Counter Extremism Project (CEP) hosted a webinar to present a policy paper concerning the threat to global security posed by the Houthi attacks on the international shipping industry since the outbreak of the Israel-Hamas war on October 7, 2023. Claire Jungman from UANI joined CEP’s Ambassador Edmund Fitton-Brown and Joshua Lipowsky to discuss The Stakes of Houthi Aggression Against International Shipping Since October 7, 2023. The event was chaired by CEP’s Dr Hans-Jakob Schindler.
Casey, Rubio to Panama: Stop Iran’s Illegal Oil Transport on Panamanian-flagged Ships (citing UANI)
January 15, 2024
Using open-source data, the nonprofit United Against Nuclear Iran (UANI) identified 383 suspected “ghost fleet” vessels, including 189 Panamanian-flagged vessels (49% of all vessels) as of January 2024. Since Senators Casey and Rubio pushed Panama to investigate and de-flag vessels of concern based on UANI’s notifications, the AMP has removed more than 32 ships. Greater information-sharing from Panama about ships that requested their own cancellation would further help to reduce the number of vessels transporting Iranian oil, which would limit Iran’s revenue.
UANI in the News
Defeating Islamist Iran | Jewish Policy Center
"The US Treasury Department, with support from groups such as United Against a Nuclear Iran (UANI), has been successful across Democrat and Republican administrations in identifying and placing sanctions on Iran’s “shadow fleet” of oil tankers—that is, tankers whose ownership and flag registration change often to evade sanctions. These efforts should be expanded. Others have suggested creating a price cap for Iranian oil, sanctions on European sellers of ships to Iran’s shadow fleet, and sanctions on oil field service companies."
Nine VLCCs linked to Iran trade blacklisted by US Treasury | Tradewinds
The US has blacklisted nine VLCCs in its latest round of sanctions targeting the tanker fleet hauling Iranian crude. The Treasury said the vessels frequently used deceptive practices that posed dangers to the maritime industry while they hauled oil worth billions of dollars for the Iranian regime… Panama has committed to de-listing ships hit by US sanctions but has been accused by campaign group United Against Nuclear Iran of previously failing to adequately respond to its warnings about ships in the Iran trades. Bloomberg reported this week that the volume of Iranian oil stored on tankers at sea had reached its highest level since July because of the squeeze on Tehran’s exports.
First VLCC reported sold for recycling since August 2022 | Tradewinds
…Legally there is no reason why a vessel on the UANI list cannot be sold for recycling, provided it has not been officially sanctioned by the US treasury department. However, selling a tanker that has been identified by UANI poses significant challenges. Most prominent brokers and cash buyers refuse to touch the vessels out of fear of potential legal consequences and reputational damage.
Doubts raised over Bangladeshi report on LPG cargo origins | Lloyd’s List
The Bangladeshi committee that investigated the origins of cargoes on board VLGCs Gaz GMS and Captain Nikolas wrongly determined they came from the UAE and Oman, an analysis shows… Lloyd’s List has analysed vessel tracking data, satellite imagery from Planet Labs and the EU’s space programme, and concluded that the cargoes on board Gaz GMS and Captain Nikolas likely did not come from the UAE and Sohar. The findings are backed by research from tanker trackers at US advocacy group United Against Nuclear Iran, and data from commodities and analytics provider Vortexa… UANI’s research suggests Captain Nikolas loaded in Iran around September 13-15. Vortexa data also indicates the LPG was loaded in Iran.
Ukrainian Intelligence Unveils Data On 238 Tankers Of Russia’s ‘Shadow Fleet’ | Freedom
The Ukrainian Defense Ministry’s Main Intelligence Directorate (HUR) has launched a new section on Russia’s “shadow fleet” on the War & Sanctions portal, unveiling data on the activities of 238 vessels that help Russia and Iran export sanctioned oil. That’s according to the intelligence agency’s press service, Ukrinform reports… Some vessels have been identified by Greenpeace as part of a shadow fleet that endangers ecosystems in the Baltic Sea by transporting Russian oil globally. Others, according to the American human rights group United Against Nuclear Iran (UANI), have been repurposed from carrying Iranian oil to now shipping Russian oil.
This story was also covered by MENAFN.
US Senators Tell Treasury To Ratchet Up Iran Sanctions | Lloyd’s List
THE US has blocked a whopping 9m dwt of Iran-trading tankers since October, the fastest pace since the reimposition of Iran oil sanctions under the Trump administration in 2018… When New York-based advocacy group United Against Nuclear Iran started tracking Iran-trading tankers in November 2020, it estimated about 70 vessels were active in the trade. Four years later, its “Ghost Armada” list has swelled to over 470 tankers and gas carriers. The senators requested that the Treasury Department submit an assessment of “all vessels listed by UANI in its Tanker Tracker and its Ghost Armada to determine whether they meet the criteria for sanctions”. Iranian oil kept flowing strongly in November. Preliminary figures from UANI show Tehran exported almost 1.6m barrels per day last month, about its average pace for the year to date.
The threats posed by the global shadow fleet—and how to stop it | Atlantic Council
This is when monitoring of shadow vessels (or dark vessels), as they were to be unofficially labeled, began in earnest. The monitoring was conducted by companies in the shipping industry, by navies and coast guards, and by nongovernmental organizations like United Against a Nuclear Iran. For different purposes and using different formats, each entity observed vessels that appeared to be flag-hopping and turning off their AIS.
The Week In Charts: Falsely Flagged Tanker Transits English Channel | No Container Rate Upside Yet From Strike Prep | Geopolitical Risk Biggest Threat To Shipping | Lloyd’s List
… Iranian oil keeps flowing ahead of expected return to ‘maximum pressure.’ According to preliminary figures from New York-based advocacy group United Against Nuclear Iran, Tehran exported almost 1.6m barrels per day in November, about its average pace for the year to date, wrote senior maritime reporter Tomer Raanan. Should Iran maintain that pace in December, it would finish the year at about 10% above the 1.45m bpd it averaged in 2023. Keeping Iran’s oil flowing around the restrictions is the fleet servicing sanctioned trades, which has swelled to about 470 tankers and liquefied petroleum gas carriers, according to UANI’s latest tally.
Iranian Oil Keeps Flowing Ahead Of Expected Return To ‘Maximum Pressure’ | Lloyd’s List
According to preliminary figures from New York-based advocacy group United Against Nuclear Iran, Tehran exported almost 1.6m barrels per day in November, about its average pace for the year to date... Keeping Iran’s oil flowing around the restrictions is the fleet servicing sanctioned trades, which has swelled to about 470 tankers and liquefied petroleum gas carriers, according to UANI’s latest tally. “As we’ve said in the past, the ghost fleet is huge,” UANI chief of staff Claire Jungman told Lloyd’s List. “These sanctions are having an impact but not enough yet because Iran can easily replace these vessels with others.” Also critical to keeping Iran in business is Chinese thirst for the sanctioned barrels. According to UANI, almost 92% of Iran’s exports in November were destined to China.
World’s Second-Biggest Registry To Eject Ships Blacklisted By UK For Carrying Russian Oil | Trade Winds
Panama says it will de-flag six ships blacklisted by the UK for hauling Russian oil. The six are among 30 vessels named by the UK last week in its biggest package of measures against the shadow fleet so far...Campaign group United Against Nuclear Iran said in March that nearly 40% of tankers carrying Iranian crude operated under the Panamanian flag.
US Panel Urges Congress To Delve Into China’s Indirect Imports Of Iranian Oil As Trump Returns | The Star
The US Congress should investigate China’s purchases of Iranian oil in the past five years, a top US advisory panel on China has urged, with Tehran looming as a larger issuein the next Trump presidency... The commission – citing advocacy group United Against Nuclear Iran and other sources tracking data on Iranian oil exports – said on Tuesday that China’s imports of Iranian oil rose 9 per cent year on year in 2023.
This was also covered by The South China Morning Post.
The Clandestine Oil Shipping Hub Funneling Iranian Crude To China | Bloomberg
“The scope and scale of the illicit ship-to-ship transfers here is much larger than in other locations,” said Charlie Brown, a Singapore-based maritime security expert who serves as senior advisor at advocacy group United Against Nuclear Iran. “There’s the geographic advantage, the generally good weather — and the ability to do it without the authorities intervening.”
Dutch Law Firm Aided Iran’s Oil Sales - BNR News Radio | Iran International
A Dutch law firm has helped Iran's oil industry evade US sanctions for years, according to an investigation by Netherlands’ BNR News Radio... Claire Jungman, head of the Iran Tanker Tracking Program at United Against Nuclear Iran (UANI), described the ships registered through ILFT as among the most important carriers of Iranian oil.
Tanker Fleet That Earned Iran Billions Managed Via Suriname | BNR
The ships registered through the office are among "the most notorious" clandestine carriers of Iranian oil, says Claire Jungman, head of the Iran Tanker Tracking Program at the anti-Iran advocacy group United Against Nuclear Iran (UANI), which analyzed the ships' movements using satellite and transponder data. UANI estimates that the six tankers registered through ILFT have collectively exported 160 million barrels of oil from Iran since US sanctions were imposed. Valued at more than ten billion dollars at current market prices.
This was also covered by NL Times.
Treasury Slaps Sanctions On Syrian Company Funneling Hundreds Of Millions To Iran | Jewish News Syndicate
The U.S. Treasury Department announced that it was imposing new sanctions on Thursday on a Syrian conglomerate accused of funneling hundreds of millions of dollars to Iran... Most of the 11 oil tankers involved in the scheme were previously identified by the United Against Nuclear Iran advocacy group as part of Iran’s “ghost fleet” of sanctions-evading oil tankers.
This was also covered by Jewish Breaking News and Jewish Press
Iran Prioritizes Gas Exports Despite Widespread Power Outages | Iran International
The main customers for Iranian mazut are China and the UAE. Calculations by Iran International, citing data from Vortexa, Kpler, and the United Against Nuclear Iran(UANI), an advocacy group, indicate that during the first 10 months of this year, Iran exported an average of 70,000 barrels of mazut daily to China and 60,000 barrels to the UAE.
Trump Vs The Dark Fleet: Can The US Choke Off Iran’s Oil Exports? | Lloyd’s List
According to data from tanker trackers at US advocacy group United Against Nuclear Iran, Tehran is exporting about 1.6m barrels per day of crude and condensate so far this year, compared with about 660,000 bpd during the first 12 months, after sanctions waivers expired in the spring of 2019. In comparison, Iran exported about 2.5m bpd of crude and condensates in 2017, data from commodities and analytics provider Vortexa showed.
How Sanctioned Iranian Oil Navigates Through A Dark And Twisted Supply Chain To China | Trade Winds
This story provides a detailed account, with information from Kpler and advocacy group United Against Nuclear Iran (UANI) and publicly available information published by the US Treasury Department, of how Tehran’s oil makes its way to China. The cargo offloaded from the Ohar started where most Iranian cargoes begin: Kharg Island.
Gulf Of Guinea Emerges As Latest Shadow Tanker Fleet Hotspot For Iranian, Venezuelan Activity | S&P Global
According to UANI estimates, Iran shipped some 1.7 million barrels per day of oil in September, of which around 94% was delivered to China. The latest Platts OPEC+ survey put Iranian crude production up 7% year-on-year in September, creating added pressure to protect its logistics network from secondary US sanctions.
Panama Issues Decree For ‘Immediate Cancellation’ Of Sanctioned Ships | Lloyds List
According to tanker trackers at US monitoring group United Against Nuclear Iran, Panama went from flagging 40% of the ships engaged in Iranian oil trades at the beginning of the year to 26% as of the end of last month. Panama’s announcement came ahead of president José Raúl Mulino’s trip to Europe, where he is seeking to remove Panama from the EU’s list of non-co-operative jurisdictions for tax purposes.
Panama Sets Rules to Expedite Revoking Sanction Busters’ Registration | The Maritime Executive
The Panama Maritime Authority (PMA) introduced a new legal mechanism enabling the immediate revocation of registration and navigation licenses for vessels in its registry that are placed on international sanction lists...Panama had historically had a large number of vessels that became involved in these trades. The NGO UANI (United Against Nuclear Iran), for example, highlights that a quarter of all the vessels it has tracked in the Iranian oil trade are registered in Panama.
Panama’s New Rules To Expel Ships On Sanction Lists | Regtech Times
The UANI (United Against Nuclear Iran) organization reported that about 25% of the ships it tracked that were involved in the Iranian oil trade were registered in Panama. This information has raised alarms, leading to calls for Panama to take action against these vessels. By speeding up the process to remove these ships from its registry, Panama aims to show that it is taking these concerns seriously.
Iran Has Made Nearly $200 Billion In Illegal Oil Sales Under Biden-Harris | The Daily Wire
Claire Jungman, director of United Against a Nuclear Iran’s (UANI) Tanker Tracking Program, told the publication that the numbers should serve as a “catalyst for the administration to enforce sanctions more aggressively on vessels transporting Iranian oil.” “The illicit activity detailed in the report underscores the need for firm action to hold these vessels accountable and ensure that sanctions are effectively implemented to curtail Iran’s ability to export oil in violation of U.S. sanctions,” she added.
How Iran’s Ghost Fleet Sidesteps U.S. Sanctions | The Dispatch
United Against Nuclear Iran, a New York-based, nonprofit advocacy group, is one of the main sources of information on suspected ghost ships registered in countries like the Cook Islands. The chaotic and decentralized nature of ghost fleets make it extremely difficult for countries to determine who, exactly, is transporting oil.
US Sanctions Expansion Could Turn The Screws On Iran’s Petrochemical Sector | Trade Winds
The latest move by the administration of US President Joe Biden to expand sanctions on Tehran could add pressure on Iran’s petrochemical sector, legal experts said... Claire Jungman, chief of staff at United Against Nuclear Iran, applauded the sanctions announcement. “But these steps should have come years ago,” she said on X. “These vessels are notorious offenders, transporting millions of barrels of oil for Iran.” She wrote that of the 23 vessels, seven were laden with Iranian oil at the time of the sanctions announcement.
Biden Sanctions Iran's 'Ghost Fleet' Previously Targeted By Rubio | The Floridian
President Joe Biden has levied new sanctions on Iran following the latter’s wave of missile attacks against Israel. Iran recently directly attacked Israel with over 300 ballistic missiles and drones, most of which were deflected by the latter with the US’ and allies’ aid... The United Against Nuclear Iran (UANI) nonprofit discovered and exposed the scheme, which included 189 Panamanian vessels.
Iran is on pace for another big year in 2024, exporting more than $34 billion in oil through October, according to figures compiled by United Against a Nuclear Iran (UANI), an advocacy group that monitors Tehran's global oil shipments through a comprehensive tanker tracker.
The Captain Nikolas, like other ships under Aspero’s management, has been linked to transporting sanctioned Iranian LPG by United Against Nuclear Iran, a Washington lobby group that tracks US-sanctioned oil shipments from Iran.
LPG Tankers Explode, One Linked to Iranian Gas Smuggling | gCaptain
The Captain Nikolas, a Cook Islands-flagged vessel owned by Panama-registered Folegandros Maritime, is managed by Aspero Ship Management. Operating from the UAE, Aspero faces accusations from the American watchdog group United Against Nuclear Iran (UANI) of transporting sanctioned Iranian LPG, which the company denies.
Iran’s Oil Revenue Skyrockets to $41B Under Biden | Jewish Breaking News
Earlier this year, the advocacy group United Against Nuclear Iran (UANI) disclosed satellite evidence showing two vessels, HECATE and ELVA, offloading massive cargoes of Iranian crude at China’s Dongjiakou port. Furthermore, a portion of Iran’s fuel oil exports is bartered for gasoline due to domestic shortages, while some oil is provided to Syria free of charge.
The sanctions are expected to ‘delay deliveries and add tremendous costs to Iran’, according to US monitoring group United Against Nuclear Iran... The 23 vessels sanctioned today were “notorious offenders, transporting millions of barrels of oil for Iran”, said Claire Jungman, chief of staff at US monitoring group United Against Nuclear Iran. “We expect these sanctions to delay deliveries and add tremendous costs to Iran.”
US Slaps Sanctions On Iran’s ‘Ghost Fleet’ Oil-Tanker Network | Jewish News Syndicate
Nearly all of the vessels sanctioned by the Treasury on Friday are included in a database of 459 Iranian ghost fleet tankers maintained by United Against Nuclear Iran, a nonprofit that advocates tougher U.S. measures against the regime. Jason Brodsky, UANI’s policy director, argued that Friday’s sanctions don’t do enough to punish Iran’s ballistic missile attack on Israel. “I remember when Jake Sullivan promised ‘severe consequences’ for Iran’s regime,” Brodsky wrote. “While welcome and overdue, sanctions are easy for U.S. policymakers to impose. Combining sanctions with kinetic action and diplomatic pressure is what’s needed.”
LPG Carriers Go Up In Flames During Suspected Dark Fleet Transshipment Operation Gone Wrong | Trade Winds
The Captain Nikolas, like other ships under Aspero’s management, has been linked to transporting sanctioned Iranian LPG by United Against Nuclear Iran, a Washington lobby group that tracks US-sanctioned oil shipments from Iran.
The sanctions are expected to ‘delay deliveries and add tremendous costs to Iran’, according to US monitoring group United Against Nuclear Iran... The 23 vessels sanctioned today were “notorious offenders, transporting millions of barrels of oil for Iran”, said Claire Jungman, chief of staff at US monitoring group United Against Nuclear Iran. “We expect these sanctions to delay deliveries and add tremendous costs to Iran.”
Reuters cites the findings of Claire Jungman of the organization United Against Nuclear Iran. They show that in June 2024, a tanker entered the port of Sohar in Oman , receiving oil from another ship . The second vessel, in turn, received oil at the beginning of the year on the Iranian island of Kharg. The Iranians did exactly the same operation with Bangladesh , where the tanker Golden Eagle entered the port of Chittagong in early 2024.
The Ghost Fleet Of Iranian Tankers And The Danger For Greece | Protagon
Daniel Roth, director of research at the NGO United Against Nuclear Iran, said Tehran is "almost entirely dependent" on a "ghost armada" of 400 tankers registered outside the country. The Fortune Galaxy, for example, was listed in 2022 by the NGO as a tanker used by the Iranian regime to transport oil despite sanctions…According to Roth, “if Iran didn't have this fleet, the regime would have lost over $100 billion over the last four years. This money is earmarked for "proxy" terrorists, ballistic missile and drone programs, and his nuclear program.
How Iran’s Dark Fleet Of Oil Ships Smuggles Black Gold To China | The Times
Daniel Roth, research director at the non- profit United Against Nuclear Iran, said Tehran was “almost entirely dependent” on a “ghost armada” of 400 tankers registered outside the country. The Fortune Galaxy was identified in 2022 by the group as a tanker used by the Iranian regime to transport oil despite sanctions. The ship itself, as well as the company that operates it, has since been hit directly with United States Treasury sanctions over its links to a financier for Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps.
Panama Registry To Automatically Expel Sanction Busters | The Maritime Executive
The growth of the shadow fleet and the use of sanctions by the U.S., the EU, and now the UK against vessels involved in sanction evasion or other illegal activities has increased pressure on the leading registries to enhance enforcement and deny registry to vessels. The Panama Maritime Authority (PMA) has highlighted several previous efforts to scrub its registry and now is announcing new steps to enhance its enforcement. […] Critics such as the NGO UANI (United Against Nuclear Iran) however highlight that vessels registered in Panama continue to be involved in the illicit Iranian oil trade while recent sanctions have also included vessels registered in Panama used to transport Russian oil. UANI for example says a quarter of all the vessels it has tracked in the Iranian oil trade are registered in Panama.
Iran And The Cost Of A War With Israel | DW News
According to the US-based nonprofit United Against Nuclear Iran, Iran's shadow fleet is made up of at least 383 ships. According to the London-based TV station Iran International, the regime sells its oil at a 20% discount to the global market price, as compensation for the risk buyers face due to sanctions.
Too Hot To Handle: Why The Owner Of A Sanctioned Tanker Is Being Given The Cold Shoulder By Recyclers | TradeWinds
The Vietnamese owner of a US-blacklisted Aframax tanker is trying to sell it for scrap. But no ship recycler will touch it…Pressure group United Against Nuclear Iran earlier claimed the Abyss had transshipped more than 500,000 barrels of Iranian oil into a Euronav tanker in the Malacca Strait. The Belgian tanker owner said it had believed the Abyss was carrying Iraqi crude.
Iran’s Shadow Oil Trade: The Largest Global Share of Smuggling Vessels | Iran News Update
United Against Nuclear Iran (UANI) organization estimates that Iran exported a total of 1.46 million bpd of oil last year. UANI identified 400 vessels involved in the secret transportation of Iranian oil. Despite this, TankerTrackers noted that the U.S. Treasury Department has only blacklisted about one-third of the ghost fleet.
Aframax Tanker Tied To Dark Activities Sold For Recycling At Very Low Price | Tradewinds
Although not officially sanctioned by US authorities, its appearance on pressure group United Against a Nuclear Iran’s list of ships that have allegedly carried US-sanctioned Iranian crude made it untouchable for any mainstream shipowner looking to buy an older aframax, according to market experts.
Dark Fleet: The Tankers Illegally Carrying Iranian and Russian Oil | skai.gr
Daniel Roth, Research Director for United Against Nuclear Iran, speaks with SKAI TV on the “Dark Fleet,” tanker ships illegally carrying Iranian and Russian Oil.
China’s Influence Over Iran Limited By Teapot Refineries | Asia Times
As the Iran-backed Houthis up their attacks on ships passing through the Bab al-Mandab straits at the tip of the Arabian peninsula, they are causing major disruption to global trade...The US-based Iranian watchdog group United Against Nuclear Iran reported earlier this year a ship received Iranian oil from another ship via ship-to-ship transfer off the coast of Kharg Island, Iran, before delivering the oil to Sohar, Oman.
Malaysian Authorities Begin Naptha Cargo Removal From Fire-Damaged Tanker | Baird Maritime
Malaysian maritime authorities have begun the process of offloading naptha cargo from a tanker that caught fire following a collision with another vessel near Singapore the previous month... Claire Jungman, Chief of Staff of US-based non-profit United Against Nuclear Iran, had earlier said that Ceres I has been transporting Iranian and Venezuelan oil in violation of UN sanctions since 2019 and 2021, respectively.
Iran's Oil Finds New Destinations In Tehran Export Push, Sources Say | Reuters
In one new trade, the Golden Eagle tanker sailed near the port of Chittagong in Bangladesh earlier this year after receiving oil from another vessel that loaded it from Iran’s Kharg Island according to available evidence based on shipping data, Claire Jungman, from U.S. advocacy group United Against Nuclear Iran, told Reuters.
Iran Opens New Directions For Oil Exports | News.AZ International
The American human rights group United Against Nuclear Iran (UANI) recorded that the Liberian-flagged tanker Golden Eagle, which previously loaded oil from Iran’s Kharg Island, transferred part of its cargo onto smaller tankers near the port of Chittagong in Bangladesh. Although the Bangladeshi state oil corporation denies purchasing this cargo, the exact buyer remains unknown.
A collision between two tankers off Singapore in July raises questions over insurance claims, as one of the vessels previously shipped Iranian oil, potentially complicating payments due to Western sanctions, ship-trackers and industry sources say... Ceres I last loaded Iranian oil via transfer with an Iranian tanker in March off the country's Kharg terminal, subsequently transferring the cargo to two tankers around the Malacca Strait between April 7-9, said Claire Jungman, chief of staff at advocacy group United Against Nuclear Iran, which tracks Iran-related tanker traffic via satellite data.
"While global supply routes have been seriously affected by the Houthi attacks, Iran’s oil trade, especially to its number one importer, China, has continued unabated," United Against Nuclear Iran (UANI) reported in early February, shortly after an Iranian-orchestrated attack killed three American service members. "For January 2024, Iranian exports to China hit 1 million barrels per day. The revenue from these sales is fundamental not only for the regime’s survival but also as a critical source of funds disbursed to its terror proxies, including the Houthi movement in Yemen."
Iran Allows Retrieval Of Türkiye Crude Oil From Seized Tanker | Daily Sabah
Tüpraş said in a statement that St. Nikolas had been holding around 1 million barrels of crude oil that it had purchased from the Iraqi state oil company SOMO. "The entire cargo was recovered through a ship-to-ship transfer conducted between July 23-25, 2024. The crude oil is now en route to the refinery and is expected to arrive in September," Tüpraş said. The cargo was transferred onto the Türkiye-flagged tanker T. Semahat earlier this week via a ship-to-ship transfer near Iran's Larak Island, said Claire Jungman, chief of staff at U.S. advocacy group United Against Nuclear Iran, which tracks Iran-related tanker traffic via satellite data.
Iran Releases Oil Carried By Tanker St Nikolas, Cargo Owner Says | Reuters
The cargo was transferred onto the Turkey-flagged tanker T. Semahat earlier this week via a ship-to-ship transfer near Iran’s Larak Island, said Claire Jungman, chief of staff at U.S. advocacy group United Against Nuclear Iran, which tracks Iran-related tanker traffic via satellite data. T.Semahat's Turkey-based operator Ditas is majority-owned by Tupras. The vessel had the port of Fujairah in the United Arab Emirates as its destination and was sailing away from Iran on Thursday, LSEG shipping data showed. Iran seized the St. Nikolas in January in retaliation for the confiscation last year of the same vessel and its oil by the U.S., Iranian state media had reported at the time. Iran's foreign and oil ministries were not immediately available to comment.
US Senator Lindsey Graham (R-SC) on Wednesday introduced legislation to hold countries accountable for financially supporting Iran. Graham noted in a statement that during the Trump Administration, Iranian crude exports dropped as low as 300,000 barrels per day. According to United Against Nuclear Iran, under the Biden Administration, Iran exported nearly 1.4 million barrels of oil a day in October 2023 alone.
Oil Tanker That Fled Collision Site Is Detained In Malaysia | Reuters
A tanker that fled the scene of a fiery Friday collision off Singapore entered the area of Malaysia's Bertam floating oil terminal on Monday after being tracked down and intercepted by Malaysian authorities, shipping data from LSEG and Kpler showed. […] It subsequently transferred the cargo to two tankers around the Malacca Strait in Asia between April 7-9, said Claire Jungman, chief of staff at U.S. advocacy group United Against Nuclear Iran, which tracks Iran-related tanker traffic via satellite data.
Malaysia’s Coast Guard Intercepts Fleeing Tanker After Collision Off Singapore | Gutzy Asia
According to lobby group United Against Nuclear Iran, the VLCC has been used to ship sanctioned crude from Iran, Venezuela, and Russia. The area where it was anchored is known to be used by about 20 dark fleet tankers for subterfuge transfers of Iranian oil, often while AIS is switched off or the tankers are spoofing their location to obfuscate their activities.
Chinese Tanker In Collision Linked To Years Of Illicit Iranian Oil Shipments | Iran International
Claire Jungman, Chief of Staff at United Against Nuclear Iran (UANI) and a specialist in monitoring suspicious oil tankers, said that since 2019, the tanker has transported at least 8 million barrels of Iranian oil and, since 2021, an additional 7.5 million barrels of Venezuelan oil. Experts have also noted that the area where the vessel had been anchored is known to be used by so-called dark fleet ships for the illicit transfer of Iranian oil in contravention of US sanctions. Singapore, a crucial hub for oil trading and bunkering, oversees waters essential to global trade routes linking Asia, Europe, and the Middle East.
Malaysian Authorities Capture Fleeing Chinese VLCC Involved In Collision With Hafnia Vessel | TradeWinds
The Ceres I has been accused of lifting Iranian oil in contravention of US sanctions by United Against Nuclear Iran, a New York-based pro-sanctions pressure group.Shanghai Prosperity Ship Management, its manager, has been raising suspicions of sanctions-busting activities for five years, Tradewinds reported on Friday.
Iran’s Tankers Double Down On Concealment Efforts Post-Sanctions | Lloyd’s List
Seven of the tracked tankers have emitted false location data via AIS since being designated. “Sanctions can effectively immobilise vessels by restricting their access to ports, insurance, and international shipping services,” explained Claire Jungman, chief of staff at US lobbying group United Against Nuclear Iran, who tracks Iran’s oil flows.
Iran Releases Oil Carried By Tanker St Nikolas, Cargo Owner Says | Reuters
The cargo was transferred onto the Turkey-flagged tanker T. Semahat earlier this week via a ship-to-ship transfer near Iran’s Larak Island, said Claire Jungman, chief of staff at U.S. advocacy group United Against Nuclear Iran, which tracks Iran-related tanker traffic via satellite data.
Oil Tanker That Fled Collision Site Is Detained In Malaysia | Reuters
The Ceres I, which was believed to have turned off its tracking system after the accident, was then found in Malaysian waters with two tugboats towing it, Malaysia's coast guard said. […] It subsequently transferred the cargo to two tankers around the Malacca Strait in Asia between April 7-9, said Claire Jungman, chief of staff at U.S. advocacy group United Against Nuclear Iran, which tracks Iran-related tanker traffic via satellite data.
Malaysia’s Coast Guard Intercepts Fleeing Tanker After Collision Off Singapore | Gutzy Asia
According to lobby group United Against Nuclear Iran, the VLCC has been used to ship sanctioned crude from Iran, Venezuela, and Russia. The area where it was anchored is known to be used by about 20 dark fleet tankers for subterfuge transfers of Iranian oil, often while AIS is switched off or the tankers are spoofing their location to obfuscate their activities.
Chinese Tanker In Collision Linked To Years Of Illicit Iranian Oil Shipments | Iran International
Claire Jungman, Chief of Staff at United Against Nuclear Iran (UANI) and a specialist in monitoring suspicious oil tankers, said that since 2019, the tanker has transported at least 8 million barrels of Iranian oil and, since 2021, an additional 7.5 million barrels of Venezuelan oil. Experts have also noted that the area where the vessel had been anchored is known to be used by so-called dark fleet ships for the illicit transfer of Iranian oil in contravention of US sanctions.
Iran’s Tankers Double Down On Concealment Efforts Post-Sanctions | Lloyd’s List
“Sanctions can effectively immobilise vessels by restricting their access to ports, insurance, and international shipping services,” explained Claire Jungman, chief of staff at US lobbying group United Against Nuclear Iran, who tracks Iran’s oil flows.
United Against Nuclear Iran, a campaign group, identified the ship as a carrier of Iranian crude in April 2021. It has also previously been involved in at least three voyages hauling Venezuelan oil since 2021, according to Kpler. Kpler reported that the Hafnia Nile had a cargo of naptha. Under international agreements, P&I liability remains with the vessel that spilt the oil, regardless of fault.
Russian Games Make Secret Tanker Oil Switching Harder To Trace | Bloomberg
The delivering ship was one of two owned and operated by Russia’s state tanker company Sovcomflot PJSC, according to TankerTrackers.com Inc, which specializes in detecting secretive cargo movements. […] The Oxis was sailing under the name Uzor until earlier this year and was identified by United Against Nuclear Iran as taking cargoes of Iranian crude by ship-to-ship transfer in October and December 2021.
How Iran Is Growing Rich Despite Its Status As A Pariah Nation | New York Post
Recent figures by watchdog United Against Nuclear Iran (UANI) found that since 2021, Iran sold a record $90 billion worth of US-sanctioned oil to countries like China and India. “China has kept the Iranian regime coffers full through oil sales,” said UANI policy director Jason Brodsky. The $90 billion of oil sales have real-world impact, Brodsky adds, “as they resource Tehran’s proxy and partner network’s lethal attacks against Israel and US interests.” Chaos in the Middle East is likely to persist as Tehran’s oil revenues soar unabated. Hezbollah, on the brink of war with Israel, receives $700 million a year from its key patron in Tehran, according to Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant.
Iran’s Oil Exports Hit A 5-Year High In 2024 | Iran International
Vortexa says that an increase in Iran’s crude production, higher demand from China and a net increase in the size of Islamic Republic’s dark fleet have helped facilitate its oil export growth. The United Against Nuclear Iran (UANI) has identified 383 vessels suspected to be part of a clandestine “ghost fleet.” So-called ghost ships are vessels that disguise their ownership and movements in order to facilitate breaches of sanctions.
Third Master Hit With US Sanctions Over ‘Houthi-Linked Oil Shipments’ | TradeWinds
The US sanctioned a Ukrainian captain and his United Arab Emirates-operated tanker on Monday over his alleged role in oil cargoes to fund Houthi weapon purchases for attacks on commercial shipping. Vyacheslav Salyga, 52, was in charge of the 105,900-dwt Otaria (built 2000) when it loaded commodities on behalf of a shipping network run by an alleged Houthi financier, according to the US sanctions regulator. Salyga is the third master to be targeted this month by Washington linked to the alleged sale of sanctioned Iranian cargoes. Two Indians were blacklisted last week. […] Campaign group United Against Nuclear Iran (UANI) identified the Otaria, previously named Gala and Winsome, as being involved in the trade in Iranian oil since 2020. […] UANI believes it spotted the Winsome later that year via satellite imagery south of the Iranian port of Bandar Abbas.
Ukrainian Sailors Are Using Telegram To Avoid Being Tricked Into Smuggling Oil For Russia | Wired
A new video appears on the social media network Telegram: footage of the smoking area aboard a large vessel. The curtains are ripped, the lights are broken, and ash and glass litter the floor. “This is how they drink on our ship,” says the young Ukrainian deck worker filming the scene, turning to show the furniture thrown to the corner of the room. “I’m freaked out.” A Telegram administrator asks the deck worker if he can share the vessel’s name. They change the ship’s name multiple times a year, replies Feliks Bondar, whose own name has been changed for this story. “I don’t even know what name to tell you,” he writes in Ukrainian. “Our ship was originally called Eagle, but in Venezuela, we were Matador and then Shoyo Maru.” […] Karaca, however, confirmed the ship to be the Danica, a vessel that had been featured on a shadow fleet watch list compiled by United Against Nuclear Iran, a US-based nonprofit, since December 2022.
The Kepler official added that Iran's exports of oil products such as diesel, Mazut, and gasoline, have not changed from the beginning of January to May this year, and Iran has exported an average of about 420,000 barrels of oil derivatives per day. The U.S.-based United Against Nuclear Iran nonprofit advocacy group recently reported that Iran's total oil exports, including products, reached 933,000 barrels per day last month, down one-third from March.
The Enemy In The Job Board | Hakai Magazine
..Starting from a list of known Russia-affiliated oil smuggling vessels kept by the nonprofit watchdog United Against Nuclear Iran, journalist Nathaniel Peutherer was able to cross reference the ships on that list against old job postings by using vessel identification numbers kept by the International Maritime Organization. The names of vessels involved in the shadow fleet are regularly changed, but their identification numbers do not vary.
Treasury Sanctions 10 People, Companies, Ship Tied to Houthis | Jewish News Syndicate
The U.S. Treasury Department sanctioned 10 individuals, companies and ships that “have engaged in the illicit transport of oil and other commodities, including for the network of Houthi financial facilitator Sa’id al-Jamal.” The sanctions target “maritime shipping and financial facilitators, several vessel managers and owners, and a company involved in forging shipping documents,” per the department’s Office of Foreign Assets Control. “Today’s action, the seventh round of sanctions targeting the network of Sa’id al-Jamal since October 2023, underscores the U.S. government’s commitment to isolating and disrupting the financing of international terrorist groups such as the Houthis,” it said. […] “This is a first for the Biden administration to sanction captains,” wrote Jason Brodsky, policy director at United Against Nuclear Iran.
A Spoofer’s Guide To Sanctioned Gas Trades | Lloyd's List
The commercialisation of Automatic Identification System data in recent years and the increased access to vessel location data means sanctions skirters have to work harder to hide their activity on any given day, Automatic Identification System tracker signals from the port of Assaluyeh, Iran, would indicate that the massive petrochemical and products exports hub is eerily quiet, bereft of cargo-carrying vessels. […] “The number of LPG carriers in Iranian trades grew substantially since we began tracking Iran’s oil exports in 2020,” said Claire Jungman, chief of staff at New York-based lobbying group United Against Nuclear Iran. “It’s common to see VLGCs spoofing their AIS in the Middle East Gulf to conceal loadings in Assaluyeh, Siraf, or Bandar Imam Khomeini.”
How America Inadvertently Created An ‘Axis Of Evasion’ Led By China | Wall Street Journal
…Sources: China’s General Administration of Customs; United Against Nuclear Iran and Vortexa. Chinese and Russian customs data show China has supplanted Russia’s loss of Western access to the highest priority dual-use goods, products that have both civilian and military uses…Iran is also supplying Venezuela with weapons, technical assistance for its energy infrastructure, and other sanctioned goods, according to U.S. officials and customs data. In exchange, Caracas has provided Iran with gold from its vast Orinoco deposits, according to Western officials, a commodity difficult to track around the world and whose fungibility allows for sanctioned nations to sidestep the Western banking system.
Growing Armada Shipping Sanctioned Oil Burns Dirty Fuel In A Setback For Clean-Up Efforts | Reuters
…Iran, another producer of high sulphur fuel, has supplied ships in the Middle East Gulf, the sources say. In one such operation, the Casinova tanker loaded such fuel at Iran’s Bandar Imam Khomeini port in recent months, said Claire Jungman, chief of staff at U.S. advocacy group United Against Nuclear Iran, which tracks Iran-related tanker traffic via satellite data. The Casinova later transferred some of the fuel onto smaller ships waiting around the Basra Anchorage in southern Iraq, Jungman said.
…Claire Jungman, a sanctions expert at the US-based campaign group United Against a Nuclear Iran, told the JC: “The system laid bare by the parallel documents is an extremely common tactic. We see Iranian oil routinely disguised as Iraqi in order to evade the sanctions.” She said that since the October 7 terrorist attack on Israel by the Iranian proxy Hamas, the Biden administration had begun to show signs of being willing to take stronger action, because it had “woken up to the fact that this is how Iran funds terror”. This year the US has impounded at least 20 Iranian oil cargo ships. But Jungman said that it had largely ignored the problem in previous years: “If it had enforced sanctions properly from the beginning, there wouldn’t be so much work to do now.”
What Does The SHIP Act Mean For Shipping? | The Lloyd’s List Podcast
…In this week’s podcast, our guests Brian Maloney, partner in Seward & Kissel’s litigation and investigation group, and Claire Jungman, chief of staff at advocacy group United Against Nuclear Iran, will walk through the nuances of the new bill, how it fits in with the existing alphabet soup of US sanctions authorities, and how it could impact maritime supply chains, especially in China, to where most of Iran’s oil is exported.
Report: Chinese Ports Become Hubs For Iran’s Illicit Oil Exports | Jewish Breaking News
…The advocacy group United Against Nuclear Iran (UANI) recently disclosed satellite evidence showing two vessels, HECATE and ELVA, offloading massive cargoes of Iranian crude at China’s Dongjiakou port. HECATE was loaded from an Iranian tanker on March 25 and was quickly blacklisted as a Specially Designated Global Terrorist (SDGT) entity on April 4. Meanwhile, ELVA, which has a track record of sanctions violations, took on Iranian oil from Kharg Island on April 2. “China’s continued, willful disregard for counterterrorism sanctions is directly enabling Iran’s ability to finance terrorism around the globe,” said UANI Chief Claire Jungman. “Beijing’s enforcement has been utterly lackluster.” Despite strengthened international sanctions, Iran’s oil exports have surged, from around 400,000 barrels per day in the immediate aftermath of harsh 2019 U.S. sanctions to over 1,500,000 barrels currently, according to the report.
Illicit Iranian Oil Unloaded In China Despite Sanctions | Iran International
The advocacy group United Against Nuclear Iran (UANI) has disclosed through satellite imagery that two vessels, HECATE and ELVA, are involved in the unloading of sanctioned Iranian oil at Dongjiakou port in China. According to Claire Jungman, Chief of Staff at UANI, "HECATE was loaded from the Iranian tanker DOVER on March 25 and was designated as an SDGT (Specially Designated Global Terrorist) entity on April 4. ELVA, known for previous sanctions violations, loaded oil from Kharg Island, Iran, on April 2." Jungman added, "China's continued disregard for counterterrorism sanctions is enabling Iran's financing of terrorism." Iran utilizes a complex network of entities and intermediaries to sell its oil to third parties, thereby evading the imposed sanctions. Iran reportedly channels some of its oil revenues to state organizations such as the Revolutionary Guard to support their budgets indirectly, circumventing direct financial allocations.
Guyana Raises Rogue Registry Warning As Sanctioned Tankers Falsely Fly Its Flag | Lloyd's List
More than a dozen tankers linked to Iran are falsely flying the Guyanese flag, as a company previously contracted by Guyana’s government to register vessels continues to do so without authorisation. The South American nation was approached by US lobbying group United Against Nuclear Iran (UANI) on Thursday over its alleged flagging of tankers involved in Iranian trades, including some tankers that are under US sanctions. But Guyana’s registrar of ships Gale Green told UANI in an email seen by Lloyd’s List that none of the vessels the group mentioned are registered under its flag. Green then noted an “increasing occurrence” of registrations being carried out by an organisation called the International Maritime Safety Agency of Guyana (IMSAG).
…Campaign group United Against Nuclear Iran (UANI) had raised the alarm about the source of the reputed Iraqi cargo during its discharge from the Vietnamese-owned 105,200-dwt Abyss (built 1998) to the Oceania. The group claimed the Abyss had been spoofing its position and had loaded the cargo at the Iranian port of Bandar Mahshahr. The legal dispute centres on the agreement struck by Malaysian company Silk Straits to secure three months of storage on the Oceania at $20,000 per day from Euronav. Silk Straits in turn rented out the space to Black Swan Petroleum. But Black Swan Petroleum claims it was not part of an agreement in the original deal to settle any dispute at arbitration in London. Euronav’s own investigation backed UANI’s claims.
Iran’s Oil Exports Robust In April But Sanctions May Yet Bite | Lloyd’s List
…The US Office of Foreign Assets Control has sanctioned 25 tankers totalling about 3.4m dwt since January for Iran links, far surpassing the number of tankers blocked in all of 2023 under the same auspices. But preliminary figures from US lobbying group United Against Nuclear Iran (UANI) indicate Iran exported almost 1.7m bpd of crude and condensates in April, continuing its robust start to the year despite US regulators’ renewed focus on Iran’s commodity exports. UANI’s chief of staff Claire Jungman said several factors are behind Iran’s export resiliency, but that sanctions could start biting in the coming weeks, when banned tankers conclude their voyages and return to Iran. “Iran has been adept at circumventing these sanctions by acquiring new tankers to replace those that have been designated, thereby maintaining their export capabilities,” she told Lloyd’s List. “Additionally, some of the contracts and purchase orders for oil were fulfilled despite the sanctions because they had been placed prior to the implementation of these sanctions.”
Analysis | US Wants To Toughen Sanctions On Iran's Missile Program – It Won't Stop Them | Israel Defense
…According to estimates, Iran manages to launder at least 3 billion dollars annually just from the sale of prohibited oil, according to a report by The New York Times. The report stated that sanctions have failed to prevent billions of dollars worth of oil from leaving Iran in the past year. According to the website United Against Nuclear Iran, Iran exported 141.7 million barrels of oil in the first quarter of 2024, marking a 28% increase compared to the same period last year. Increased oil exports boost Tehran's foreign currency reserves and enable it to support its military industry. In addition to oil, which sustains the Iranian missile industry, one can add cryptocurrency theft through cyber attacks. Oil, arms sales, and cyber are revenue channels that Israeli intelligence struggles to confront.
US Blacklists Tankers To Target Iranian Oil Sales And Drone Shipments | Tradewinds
…The blacklisting comes a day after President Joe Biden signed off a financial package to Ukraine and Israel alongside new measures aimed at targeting the Iranian oil trade which stands at a six-year high since sanctions were reimposed. The five ships spoofed their positions to disguise their activities to make it look as if they were loading Iraqi oil, according to campaign group United Against Nuclear Iran, which tracks tankers hauling Iranian cargoes. Four of the ships are linked to Sahara Thunder, which runs the commercial activities of the Iranian defense ministry, the US said. It is also said to be a key commercial operator behind Iran’s design, manufacture and sale of thousands of drones. Many of them go to Russia to support its invasion of Ukraine, according to the US.
Gas Carrier Fleet Shipping Iranian LPG Expands As Exports Boom | Lloyd’s List
… While scrutiny of Iran’s energy trade tends to focus on oil exports and the dark fleet of veteran tankers servicing that trade, its outflows of propane and butane have grown at a far faster pace in recent years. Indeed, Iran’s exports of crude oil and condensates have increased substantially over the past four years and have recovered considerably since sanctions were imposed in 2018 by the Trump Administration. However, exports of Iranian oil remain below pre-sanctions levels, according to data from tanker trackers at lobbying group United Against Nuclear Iran, known as UANI.
US Lawmakers Pass New Iran Sanctions Bill | Lloyd’s List
…Iran’s oil exports have staged a comeback in recent years after the reimposition of sanctions sliced them from over 2m barrels per day in 2018 to a few hundred thousand when the measures were fully implemented in 2019. According to preliminary figures from tanker trackers at US lobby group United Against Nuclear Iran, exports averaged 1.5m bpd in the first quarter of 2024, making it Iran’s best first quarter in the post-sanctions era. China buys 80% of Iran's oil exports. The Middle Kingdom’s smaller and semi-independent “teapot” refineries account for about 20% of China’s total oil imports, according to UANI, but they also take in the bulk of Iran’s exports. Importing Iran’s oil through these smaller refineries helped Beijing obscure its role and protect its large, stateowned enterprises from US scrutiny, UANI said. The teapots are both harder to uncover and are less exposed to the US financial system.
Biden DOE Collaborated With Scientist From Iranian University Sanctioned For Illicit Nuclear Work | Washington Free Beacon
…"I’m not familiar with this grant," Granholm said under questioning, adding that U.S. taxpayer funds generally should not be making their way to sanctioned countries or entities. Granholm promised to follow up on the matter but has yet to do so, sources told the Washington Free Beacon. The DOE did not respond to a request for comment on how much the grant was for or how it was distributed. The issue was first brought to the DOE’s attention in late March, when United Against a Nuclear Iran (UANI), a watchdog group that tracks sanctioned entities, informed U.S. officials that a researcher in its National Renewable Energy Laboratory published a paper alongside Sharif University’s Ravanji. "The research was grant-funded by the U.S. Department of Energy’s Solar Energy Technologies Office," UANI wrote in the letter, according to a copy obtained by the Free Beacon.
Malaysia Arrests Two Ships And 44 Seafarers For Alleged Illegal Anchoring | Tradewinds
…Campaign group United Against Nuclear Iran identified the two vessels and posted a satellite image of the ships side-by-side. The group said the transfer involved an Iranian cargo after it tracked the Artemis III loading around 2m barrels of crude at Iran’s Kharg Island oil terminal in August. It said the Artemis III carried out an STS transfer of one-third of those barrels to an aframax tanker in the same area off Malaysia in October before authorities took action.
MSC Assures Safety Of 25 Crew Members Onboard Cargo Ship MSC Aries Seized By Iran | Marine Insight
…Iran has also captured several vessels in international seas in recent years, increasing the risks for merchant ships in the region. The Niovi, Advantage Sweet, and St Nikolas tankers, which were captured last year, were anchored in Iranian seas as of 12 April, according to Claire Jungman, the chief of staff at United Against Nuclear Iran, a US advocacy group that monitors Iran-related tanker movements via satellite data. Iran’s foreign ministry reported on Monday that the MSC Aries was captured for violating maritime laws and that the vessel was undoubtedly related to Israel. MSC charters the Aries from Gortal Shipping, a Zodiac Maritime subsidiary.
Biden Admin Announces New Sanctions On Iran — A Month After Freeing Up Potentially Billions For Islamic Regime | Daily Wire
…Iran exported nearly 1.4 million barrels of oil per day in October, sustaining its average for 2023. This is up 80% from the 775,000 barrels per day Iran averaged under the Trump Administration’s “maximum pressure” strategy, according to United Against Nuclear Iran, the group of former U.S. Ambassador Mark Wallace and Sen. Joe Lieberman, whose Tanker Tracker generates the best public data we have. The Iranian surge in oil exports since President Biden took over has brought Iran an additional $32 billion to $35 billion, according to the Foundation for Defense of Democracies.
Crew Of Ship Seized By Iran Are Safe, Operator MSC Says | Marine Link
…The Advantage Sweet, Niovi and St Nikolas tankers, which were taken last year, were anchored in Iranian waters as of April 12, said Claire Jungman, chief of staff at U.S. advocacy group United Against Nuclear Iran, which tracks Iran-related tanker traffic via satellite data. Iran's foreign ministry said on Monday that the MSC Aries was seized for "violating maritime laws", adding that there was no doubt the vessel was linked to Israel. MSC leases the Aries from Gortal Shipping, an affiliate of Zodiac Maritime. Zodiac is partly owned by Israeli businessman Eyal Ofer. Recent attacks on merchant shipping in the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden by Yemen's Iran-aligned Houthis have also affected the global maritime transport chain.
IRGC Seizes 'Israeli-Affiliated' Cargo Ship Near Strait Of Hormuz | Iran International
…Jason Brodsky, Policy Director at United Against Nuclear Iran (UANI), also wrote on X that the boarding may be “part of a multi-layered response from Iran which wants to maintain attention and exhaust Israel.” Following the incident, the Israeli army spokesperson Daniel Hagari warned in a video message in English that “Iran will bear the consequences for choosing to escalate the situation any further.” Calling the Iranian regime “the world’s biggest state sponsor of terror,” he stressed that Tehran’s network of terror not only threatens people in Israel, Lebanon, Syria and Gaza, but provokes conflicts in Ukraine and elsewhere.
Exclusive: Russian Oil And Products Trapped On Tankers Hit By New Iran-Related Sanctions | Reuters
…Claire Jungman, chief of staff at U.S. advocacy group United Against Nuclear Iran, which tracks Iran-related tanker traffic via satellite data confirmed movements of both vessels, adding that since 2021 Elsa has transported over 9 million barrels of Iranian crude or fuel oil to the UAE, Singapore and China. Elsa has been at anchor off Singapore since early April, according to LSEG data. The other vessel, Hebe, was loaded with the 100,000 tons of fuel oil at the Russian Baltic ports St Petersburg and Ust-Luga. The tanker is heading towards the Suez Canal, but the final destination is unclear yet.
Exclusive-Russian Oil And Products Trapped On Tankers Hit By New Iran-Related Sanctions | Saltwire …Claire Jungman, chief of staff at U.S. advocacy group United Against Nuclear Iran, which tracks Iran-related tanker traffic via satellite data confirmed movements of both vessels, adding that since 2021 Elsa has transported over 9 million barrels of Iranian crude or fuel oil to the UAE, Singapore and China.
Second Illicit Iranian Oil Shipment En-Route To Bangladesh | Iran International
…According to reports from NGO United Against A Nuclear Iran (UANI), the oil originated from Kharg Island, Iran, and was transferred in United Arab Emirates waters before being sent for delivery to Bangladesh.UANI has urged Bangladesh to take a stand against the transaction and return the oil to Iran. The organization highlighted concerns over the use of ship-to-ship transfers by Iran to avoid detection of the destination of its cargo. This method involves turning off vessel transponders at sea and covertly transferring oil cargos. The Islamic Republic employs various mechanisms, involving a network of entities and organizations, to sell its oil via third parties and evade sanctions. Additionally, Iran has reportedly begun providing oil to state organizations, including the IRGC, as a means to bolster their budgets without direct financial allocation.
US Concessions Fuel Tehran's Nuclear Ambitions And Internal Oppression | Iran International
…Though US sanctions may still be in place, that doesn’t mean they are being enforced. For example, the US reportedly agreed to a diplomatic arrangement with Iran in 2023 that included “stepping back from seizing Iranian oil cargoes.” According to the advocacy group, United Against a Nuclear Iran, the Islamic Republic had generated approximately $80 billion in revenue from oil sales between 2021-2023, hitting a five-year high in 2023. As noted in a recent Congressional Research Service (CRS) report, observers have speculated “competing global interests, a desire not to escalate tensions with China, or the pursuit of lower petroleum prices may have also informed the Biden Administration’s Iran sanctions policy in a way that de-prioritized the enforcement of sanctions.”
Iran’s Oil Exports Sail To Record Post-Sanctions First Quarter As Second Panama-Flagged Tanker Exodus Gets Under Way | Lloyd’s List
Tehran started the year strongly, shipping over 1.5m bpd during the first quarter, preliminary figures from United Against Nuclear Iran show. Preliminary figures from UANI showing that Tehran shipped more oil in the first quarter than in any equivalent period since the reimposition of sanctions took full effect in April 2019. Meanwhile, UANI says 41 tankers have switched flag from Panama following pressure from US lawmakers and diplomats.
US Treasury Sanctions 13 Ships Smuggling Hundreds Of Millions Of Dollars In Iranian Oil | Jewish News Syndicate
…Jason Brodsky, policy director of United Against Nuclear Iran, which tracks the “ghost fleet” of tankers that Iran uses to evade U.S. sanctions, said that the newly-designated ships are just one component of Iran’s larger smuggling operation. “It’s a very sophisticated game. They use ship-to-ship transfers, spoofing locations and they try to mask the origin of the product that they’re trying to evade U.S. sanctions on,” Brodsky told JNS. “We have around 377 vessels on our list right now, and that includes the ones that were sanctioned today.” “There are still a lot of ships to crack down on,” he said. “This is only a small portion of what’s been going on with these illicit trades.”
US Pressures Iranian Military Revenue With Sanctions Against Dubai Ship Manager And 13 Vessels | TradeWinds
…United Against Nuclear Iran, a pressure group that identifies ships operating in trades that fall under sanctions against Tehran, has all 13 ships on its ghost fleet list. “By stopping these vessels in their tracks, we can significantly cut the revenue stream to the [Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps] terrorists, a crucial step in weakening their destabilizing activities,” chief of staff Clare Jungman wrote on X.
Seafarers Are Unknowingly Working With Oil Smugglers | Baraka Energy
... The staff of the tanker tracking service Tanker Trackers reported that Pablo spent many years smuggling Iranian crude oil. United Against Nuclear Iran also included the vessel on a list containing ships that were under investigation by United Against Nuclear Iran for violating sanctions. The vessel Tripathi called home was smuggling Iranian oil as long as he had worked on it.
Treasury Is Asked Why US Firm Insures Ships Carrying Iran Oil | Bloomberg
…Representative Zach Nunn of Iowa, a member of the House Financial Services Committee, sent a letter Thursday inquiring about New York City-based American Club. “An American company reaping a profit from its involvement in insuring tankers that are transporting illicit Iranian oil to finance terrorism demands answers from this Administration,” he wrote. Nunn cited a February report by Bloomberg News showing that American Club covered 21 vessels suspected of carrying illicit Iranian oil, more than any of its 11 larger peers. The insurer had recently dropped 19 other vessels after inquiries from Nunn and Bloomberg, the report stated. The Bloomberg story was based on research by the nonprofit group United Against Nuclear Iran, which maintains a list of ships suspected of carrying the country’s crude. US sanctions prohibit Western businesses from knowingly participating in sanctioned activities. But the Treasury Department, which oversees sanctions, asks insurers like American Club to go further and monitor whether ships they cover are secretly trading in sanctioned products.
US Blacklists Tanker After Ship-To-Ship Transfer With ‘Fake’ Vessel Linked To Houthi Financial Fixer | Trade Winds
…Claire Jungman of United Against Nuclear Iran, a campaign group that tracks tankers following the reimposition of sanctions by the US government in 2018, said that the move “underscores China’s troubling role” in backing Iran. “Why does China continue to bolster Iran’s terrorist activities by purchasing its oil? It’s time to confront and halt these transactions that empower aggression,” she said in a tweet. China opposes unilateral sanctions and has consistently spoken against them at the United Nations.
US Blacklists Suezmax Tanker And Owner For Iran And Houthi Links | Lloyd’s List
…In a statement on January 16, the AMP said: "Regarding the requests presented by the organisation Against Nuclear Iran (UANI), we must mention that after reviewing the list, from the 217 ships, we realised that there are mistakes in the sum, in the list, and repeated numbers, so there are actually 216 ships, from which 28 ships have been cancelled to date, so there are 188 ships left.
Two More Tankers Sanctioned By U.S. For Support Of Iran And Houthis | The Maritime Executive
… The latest action targets two Hong Kong and Marshall Islands-based shipowners and two vessels for their role in the scheme. The ships had previously been identified by the watchdog organization United Against a Nuclear Iran for their role in the shadowy oil trade. Today’s action was also related to the joint U.S. and UK sanctions announced on February 27 against individuals and ships involved in the Iranian oil trade.The first vessel listed is the Palau-flagged Reneez, a 22-year-old crude oil tanker, which is owned and managed by Marshall Islands-based Reneez Shipping. According to U.S. officials, the vessel has transported tens of thousands of metric tons of Iranian commodities for the network of Iran-based IRGC-QF-backed Houthi financier Sa’id al-Jamal. They report that Al-Jamal’s network often uses falsified cargo documents to mask the Iran-origin cargo onboard and to obfuscate its ties to Iran and al-Jamal’s network.
Iranian 'Spy Ship' In Spotlight After Undersea Data Cables Linking Continents Severed | Zero Hedge
The IRGC's goal to covertly spark chaos in the Middle East has boosted crude prices and allowed Tehran to collect $90 billion in illicit oil sales under the Biden administration. "Iran has managed to sell $90 billion worth of U.S.-sanctioned oil, setting new export records in the process," according to the latest figures published by United Against a Nuclear Iran. UANI continued: "The administration has not published a correspondingly detailed report with respect to Iranian oil exports—despite the equally vital role oil sales play in funding Iran's malign activities: sponsorship of terrorism, development of WMDs, and domestic repression. There is a conspicuous absence of robust pronouncements and clear-eyed reasoning with respect to Tehran and its oil."
US Not Likely To Change Oil Sanctions For Now, Despite Iran's Nuclear Rhetoric: Experts | S&P Global
If Tehran were to publicly acquire full nuclear weaponization, Iran's terrorist proxies like Hezbollah, Hamas and the Houthi rebels would be emboldened knowing they were backed by a nuclear equipped power, said Daniel Roth, research director at the group United Against Nuclear Iran.
Watchdog: Illicit Iranian Oil Sales Spike Under Biden | Newsmax
Iran set export records by selling $90 billion in U.S.-sanctioned oil, according to watchdog United Against Nuclear Iran (UANI), which highlighted the Biden administration's "hesitance to enforce oil sanctions on Iran." Iran's biggest buyer is China, which buys four of five barrels exported by Iran despite the sanctions imposed in 2019. Iran's illicit oil sales are funding terrorists in the Middle East, including the Houthis of Yemen, who actively target Western cargo ships in the Red Sea. "It is crucial that the United States prioritizes the identification and sanctioning of these vessels to effectively crack down on Iran's illicit oil trade," UANI Chief of Staff Claire Jungman told the Washington Free Beacon. "Immediate, decisive action is required to reinforce the sanctions framework and prevent the further erosion of global security. The time for half-measures has passed."
… Tehran’s sales to China, its top importer, have consistently crossed more than 1 million barrels per day during the past several months, a signal that the Biden administration continues its softline approach toward enforcing sanctions on the regime’s oil exports. "Iran has managed to sell $90 billion worth of U.S.-sanctioned oil, setting new export records in the process," according to the latest figures published by United Against a Nuclear Iran (UANI), a watchdog group that monitors Tehran’s illicit oil trade. "Ongoing hesitance to enforce oil sanctions on Iran has proven to be a defining characteristic of the Biden Administration’s foreign policy." Tehran’s oil exports continue to soar as its terror proxies in the region—including the Houthi rebels in Yemen and Iraq-based militant groups—work to choke off international shipping lanes and attack Western ships.
US Blacklists First Shipowner For Supporting Houthis Since Terrorist Designation | Tradewinds
… United Against Nuclear Iran chief of staff Claire Jungman said the sanctions against the Artura and Koahana show the “power of persistent advocacy” by the group, also known as UANI. She told TradeWinds that UANI first identified the Artura in Iran in February of last year as it loaded a cargo at Kharg Island, Iran, and later delivered it to China. It has moved at least three other Iran-connected cargoes, moving more than 4m barrels of oil from the country. “These vessels, part of the wider network UANI has been spotlighting, represent just the tip of the iceberg,” Jungman said on X. “Our continuous call for action is yielding results, undermining Iran’s attempts to evade sanctions through maritime manoeuvers.”
US Blacklists Tanker Shipowner As VLCC With $100m Cargo Heads To China | Tradewinds
… The ship’s flag state Panama was told about the suspected involvement of the ship in the Iranian oil trade in May 2023 by the campaign group United Against Nuclear Iran (UANI), which tracks the Iranian tanker trade. In a letter to flag administrators, UANI said the ship, then named Irises and owned and operated by Iridescent, was involved the previous month in a ship-to-ship transfer of Iranian oil with another VLCC, the Suriname-owned 300-000-dwt Vigor (built 2004). The Vigor in return received the oil from an Iranian tanker, said UANI. The group claimed that the tanker was also linked to the transport of Venezuelan crude, a trade that had been blacklisted by the United States.
US Sanctions Two Tankers Linked To Iranian Armed Forces And Houthis | Lloyd’s List
According to Ofac, Artura conducted STS transfers with Mehle (IMO: 9191711), which was sanctioned in January, also for ties to al-Jamal. In some instances, Artura obfuscated its identity by using the name of a different tanker, Sanan II, Ofac said. Both Kohana and Artura were also previously cited by New York-based advocacy group United Against Nuclear Iran as involved in sanctioned Iranian trades. The blacklisting comes amid an apparent refocus by the US on Iran’s commodity exports linked to military and proxy financing in the aftermath of the October 7 atrocities and rising tensions in the Middle East.
Hit On Iranian Surveillance Ship Appears To Slow Houthis’ Red Sea Attacks | New York Sun
... According to the Thursday report, the cyberattack occurred more than a week ago. While Houthi strikes on Red Sea ships briefly slowed, they resumed later this week. British forces near Yemeni shores reported an explosion on a ship near their vessel Friday and American and other naval forces intercepted incoming missiles on Wednesday and Thursday. “The slowdown was either because the Behshad was offline, or because the U.S. has been degrading the Houthi stockpiles,” the policy director at United Against Nuclear Iran, Jason Brodsky, told the Sun. He noted that while the damage to the IRGC spy ship is difficult to assess, it may well be repairable. “In my view we should have sunk the Behshad,” he said.
The $2.8 Billion Hole In U.S. Sanctions On Iran | New York Times
… Last week, Bloomberg reported that the American Club had insured more ships suspected of violating sanctions than other comparable insurers, according to data from United Against Nuclear Iran, a privately funded group advocating stronger sanctions on Iran.
Hacked Documents Show Iran Strategy To Evade U.S. Sanctions | Foreign Desk
“... The Islamic Republic’s oil revenue—almost all of which comes from China—funds its brutal repression of the Woman, Life, Freedom movement and violent anti-American extremist groups abroad,” said Jerry Canto, an analyst at United Against Nuclear Iran (UANI).
‘Last Chance Not To Make Trouble’: How Iranian Oil Ring ‘Warned Off’ Thenamaris Tanker | TradeWinds
… Claire Jungman, chief of staff at United Against Nuclear Iran, a campaign group that raised the alarm about some of the transfers identified in the indictments, said that the allegations suggested Iran’s oil export plans were “deeply embedded within the power structures of Iran”. “It’s a wake-up call for all of us about the lengths some will go to avoid the laws and the importance of staying vigilant and enforcing sanctions,” she said.
The Oil Was From Iran. The Insurance Was From New York | Bloomberg
... That’s the home of American Club, the smallest of the 12 companies that cover most of the world’s oceangoing ships against spills and accidents, and the only one based in the US. American Club provides insurance for 21 vessels suspected of having moved Iranian oil, more than any of its peers, according to a Bloomberg News analysis 1of a list provided by the group, United Against Nuclear Iran (UANI). That’s 6% of the tankers American Club covers — even after the company recently culled its client list. Since December, when the insurer’s name came up at a congressional hearing and Bloomberg began asking questions, American Club has dropped coverage for Sincere 02 and 18 other vessels accused by UANI of having carried Iranian oil. Many of them had been under suspicion for years but continued to ply the seas, and American Club continued to collect premiums.
US Bid To Curb Iranian Oil Bedeviled By Economics, Election | Bloomberg
... One way to slow exports is to start targeting individual ships that carry the oil, said Claire Jungman, chief of staff at United Against Nuclear Iran. “There are 360-plus vessels currently traveling the waters right now transporting Iranian oil and 90% of those are not sanctioned,” said Jungman. “Starting with sanctioning the vessels would have a huge impact.”
‘We’re Not Villains’, Insists American Club After Iran-Linked Ships Found On Its Books | TradeWinds
The American Club has defended its compliance procedures after news agency Bloomberg reported it had been involved in 21 vessels linked to the shipment of Iranian oil. Two vessels, originally named by United Against Nuclear Iran (UANI), have been dropped from the club and three more are under investigation or are in the process of being dropped, Bloomberg reported.
American Club Culls 15 Tankers Accused Of Shipping Iranian Oil From Insured Fleet | Lloyd’s List
Tankers were removed from the New York-based marine insurer over the past five weeks after media organization Bloomberg's investigation when United Against Nuclear Iran claimed the club insured 21 ships in Iran trades.
Seizures, Sanctions And Criminal Charges In Latest US Crackdown On Iranian Oil | Lloyd’s List
... Claire Jungman, chief of staff of New York-based pressure group United Against Nuclear Iran, said the move constitutes a "significant milestone" but urged for stronger enforcement against the tankers enabling Iran's oil trade. "The Department of Justice's commitment to dismantling Iran's billion-dollar oil smuggling network marks a significant milestone in our ongoing efforts to curb illicit activities that threaten global security and stability," she said.
... US pressure group United Against Nuclear Iran traced the illicit transfer and alerted Euronav, who told Lloyd’sList on March 30 that it was investigating the claims. The Belgian giant was said to be co-operating withseveral authorities including the US Office of ForeignAsset Control, Lloyd’s List reported at the time. The unsealed documents show the court authorised aseizure warrant for the cargo, valued between $25mand $35m, on July 3. The same day, the 440,000 dwt Oceania began a STS with another Euronav tanker, CapFelix (IMO: 9380738), Lloyd’s List Intelligence data shows.
Accused Shadow Fleet Aframax Sold For Recycling For The Second Time | Tradewinds
The vessel, which at the time of its sale was managed by Global Tech Marine Services of Dubai, was reported back then to have been sold on an as-is basis in Singapore for $500 per ldt, or $8.2m That deal failed, according to recycling sector sources who believe the cash buyer got cold feet as the vessel, originally built as Sovcomflot’s Moscow University, had been accused by pressure group United Against Nuclear Iran as being a regular transporter of sanctioned Russian crude oil. Since then the ship has been languishing at anchor in the South China Sea just outside Malaysian territorial waters.
Euronav Tanker Unwittingly Caught Up In $1bn Iran Oil Smuggling Probe | Tradewinds
... Euronav said last year it was investigating the STS operation after campaign group United Against Nuclear Iran raised the alarm after its 441,600-dwt Oceania (built 2003) was spotted alongside the Vietnamese-flagged Abyss in the Malacca Strait. The Belgian tanker owner said that it had believed the Abyss was carrying Iraqi crude.
US Senators Urge Biden To Enforce Iran Oil Sanctions Amid Attacks | Iran International
... Iran now exports oil more than any time in the past five years, according to Japan’s influential daily Nikkei, with as much as 90% of the total exports going to China. This is confirmed also by United Against Nuclear Iran (UANI), which tracks Iranian oil exports.
Recognizing Challenge Presented By Houthis, EU Moves To Protect Red Sea Ships | New York Sun
… The purpose is “protection of the ships,” Mr. Borrell told reporters Wednesday. “Intercepting of the attacks against the ships. Not participating in any kinds of actions against the Houthis. Only blocking the attacks of the Houthis.” In limiting itself, the EU will fail to deter the Yemeni Houthis who have been attacking ships in the Red Sea, where 1 percent of world commerce travels, the policy director at United Against Nuclear Iran, Jason Brodsky, tells the Sun. Further, “it will do nothing to influence the Islamic Republic’s strategy.” Yet, by deciding to beef up the Western presence in the Red Sea, the EU is recognizing the challenge presented by the Houthis, including to commerce involving Israel, a rising economic power and the EU’s 25th largest trading partner.
Biden Response To China Skirting Sanctions On Iranian Oil Panned: 'Feckless' | Fox News
… To state the obvious: a primary function of sanctions on Iranian oil is to tighten Iran’s budget so the Islamic Republic cannot fund the proxy militaries, like the group that killed US soldiers in Jordan, or Hamas and Hezbollah who attack Israel. "Without Iran’s export of oil, it cannot operate its budget much less successfully fund and arm its proxies, "says former Ambassador Mark Wallace, who heads the group United Against Nuclear Iran. "Without proxies, the Middle East is a much more stable place." Everything from the Gaza war to almost 170 attacks on US targets in the region show it’s anything but stable. The proxies appear well funded and in the face of US sanctions, Iranian Oil revenue is booming.
Senators Call On Panama To De-Flag Sanction-Busting Tankers For Iranian Oil | Maritime Executive
... Citing data from the non-profit watchdog group United Against Nuclear Iran (UANI), the letter contends that 383 vessels have been identified as suspected of operating in the ghost fleet supporting Iran’s oil trade. UANI highlights that this is up from just 70 tankers in November 2020. Of the nearly 400 vessels they believe are aiding Iran, the letter reports that nearly half (189) are flagged in Panama. So far, the senators write Panama has de-flagged 28 of 217 vessels they believe are of concern while noting that some vessels recently de-flagged were because of decommissioning and not due to concerns over their movements and sanctions compliance.
Euronav Tied To Sale Of World’s Second Biggest Tanker | Tradewinds
The Oceania made headlines once more in March 2023, when Euronav said it was investigating claims put forward by United Against Nuclear Iran, a US-based lobby group, that the ship was preparing to receive a cargo of US-sanctioned Iranian crude in a ship-to-ship transfer.
Tanker Tracker Locates Locates Seized Marshal Islands-Flagged Tanker off Iran’s Qeshm Island | Reuters
In this satellite photo provided by Planet Labs PBC, vessels identified as the Virgo, left, and the Suez Rajan — now the St. Nikolas — by the advocacy group United Against Nuclear Iran are seen in the South China Sea on Feb. 13, 2022.
Iran’s Oil Exports To Syria Increased 21 Percent In 2023 | Syria Report
Iran’s oil shipments to Syria in 2023 surged by 21 percent compared to the previous year, according to data from United Against Nuclear Iran, a U.S.-based organisation tracking Iranian shipments and crude oil storage. In the last quarter of 2023, Iran’s crude oil exports to Syria amounted to approximately 7,686,822 barrels, averaging 83,552 barrels per day.
US: Panama-Registered Ghost Fleet Should Be Investigated And De-Flagged | Safety4Sea
... The letter points out that United Against Nuclear Iran (UANI) identified 383 vessels suspected to be part of a clandestine “ghost fleet.” Notably, almost half of these vessels, are flagged in Panama. The Senators express their concern regarding the Panama Maritime Authority’s diligence in addressing these flagged vessels and raise the potential risk of similar practices being employed to evade U.S. sanctions on Russian oil. The U.S. urges Panama to conduct a thorough investigation into the alleged involvement of the 189 ships flagged in Panama. The Senators call for strict adherence to established procedures, including the de-flagging of ships supported by corroborated evidence.
UANI Laments US Failure To Protect Greece-Owned Tanker | Lloyd’s List
United Against Nuclear Iran, the New York-based non-governmental advocacy group seeking to “combat the threats” posed by Iran, has strongly criticised the hijacking of the Greece-owned tanker St Nikolas on Thursday. The tanker was boarded by masked men from the Iranian Navy in the Gulf of Oman and forced to change course for Iranian waters. UANI said that it “strongly condemns” the Iranian action, which originated when the tanker was outside Iranian territorial waters. It expressed concern for the crew who were seized along with the tanker, comprising 18 Filipinos and one Greek national, and who were “now being held hostage”.
Seized Oil Tanker Heading Toward Iran, UK Says | Newsweek
… Ambassador Mark Wallace, the CEO of the United Against Nuclear Iran (UANI) organization, told Newsweek that the Iranian seizure shows that the U.S. "has lost its deterrence." "We must met with a sharp, lethal response. The only proportionate response is a decisive response. "Our Iranian enemies need to feel the wrath of the greatest naval force on Earth and the U.S. should not wait for American or allied casualties before it acts."
Iran Seizes Greek Tanker, Escalating Tensions With West | Politico
… Speaking to POLITICO, Mark Wallace, former American ambassador to the U.N. and CEO of the United Against Nuclear Iran pressure group, said he was “extremely” concerned about the welfare of the crew and criticized the failure of Washington to respond to the seizure, despite the ship being under the protection of the U.S. Department of Justice. Following the ship being boarded, he said, “we had about five hours until it got into Iranian territorial waters and the U.S. took no action … it looks like the U.S. and its allies have lost control of the Bab al-Mandab Strait and the Strait of Hormuz.”
…Attention began focusing on the Suez Rajan in February 2022, when the group United Against Nuclear Iran said it suspected the tanker carried oil from Iran’s Khargh Island, its main oil distribution terminal in the Persian Gulf. Satellite photos and shipping data analyzed at the time by the AP supported the allegation. For months, the ship sat in the South China Sea off the northeast coast of Singapore before suddenly sailing for the Texas coast without explanation. The vessel discharged its cargo to another tanker in August, which released its oil in Houston as part of a Justice Department order.
Masked Gang Board Greek-Owned Tanker Between Iran And Oman | Tradewinds
… A year-long cargo dispute ultimately saw the US Justice Department seize 1m barrels of Iranian crude on the ship. The Suez Rajan hit the headlines in February 2022, when the group United Against Nuclear Iran said it suspected the tanker had carried oil from Iran’s Khargh Island. The vessel was stuck for months in the South China Sea before sailing for the Texas coast.
Tanker Rates Soar On ‘Red Hot’ Red Sea Routes As Owners Embrace Danger Zone | TradeWinds
... The Omega hauled sanctioned Iranian crude last year, according to United Against Nuclear Iran and cargo trackingdata, but was still listed, via AIS signals, as having armed guards on board as it sailed south through the Red Sea. The Sovcomflot-controlled 47,200-dwt product tanker SCF Yenisei (built 2007) was also nearing the strait with a Russian-sourced cargo and is dueto arrive in the United Arab Emirates next week, according to Kpler.The tensions have meant rates for product tankers from the Mediterranean to the Far East spiked in December and continue to climb.
Tanker Tracker Reports
January 2024 Iran Tanker Tracking
The Iran-backed Houthi terrorist group in Yemen has carried out a total of 30 piracy (hijacking), UAV, and anti-ship ballistic missile attacks on ships in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden since the first attack on November 19, 2023, the hijacking of the GALAXY LEADER (IMO: 9237307).
February 2024 Iran Tanker Tracking
The striking divergence between U.S. oil policy on Russia versus Iran was borne out again this month. On February 23, the U.S. levied sanctions on Sovcomflot, Russia’s biggest tanker company, including 14 of its crude oil tankers. According to a U.S. Treasury official, “Sovcomflot as a whole, as a parent company, has been implicated in price cap violations in addition to deceptive activity.
March 2024 Iran Tanker Tracking
Just as travelers may not generally enter other countries without a valid passport, ships may not dock at foreign ports without a recognized flag. So it was a significant step this month when the U.S. State Department—for the first time—publicly called on Panama, until last year the largest flag-provider in the world, to strip its flag from vessels carrying Iranian oil.
April 2024 Iran Tanker Tracking
U.S. and European economic restrictions have been in place on Syria since 2011, including measures prohibiting most oil trade with Syria. Despite this, Syria has been a consistent top-five destination for U.S.-sanctioned Iranian oil since at least 2011. Some 8 percent of total Iranian oil exports end up in Syria—a lot of it forwarded to Hezbollah in Lebanon—facilitated by IRGC smuggling networks.
May 2024 Iran Tanker Tracking
In this month’s update, we note with approval that the Panama Maritime Authority is making significant progress in cleaning up its registry by deleting at least 32 vessels suspected of transporting Iranian oil. This has been a key request from United Against Nuclear Iran (UANI) since 2020.
June 2024 Iran Tanker Tracking
As the U.S. continues to apply sanctions aimed at curbing Iranian oil exports—most recently on June 25—the regime in Tehran continues to get around them. One underreported tactic involves using Chinese shipyards to repair and maintain its fleet of tankers. This cooperation is not only a breach of sanctions but also a crucial enabler for Iran to continue exporting its oil, thereby funding its terrorism and regional destabilization.
July 2024 Iran Tanker Tracking
For more than six years, through dozens of private letters and a lot of public exposure, UANI has led the campaign to compel Panama to stop flagging vessels involved in transporting Iran’s sanctioned oil. Evidently, our efforts have begun to bear fruit: since January 2024, the Maritime Authority of Panama (AMP) has deleted some 109 vessels from its registry.
August 2024 Iran Tanker Tracking
On August 7, Israel’s National Bureau for Counter-Terror Financing (NBCTF), part of the Ministry of Defense, sanctioned 18 tankers for their involvement in the illicit trade of Iranian oil, marking Israel’s first-ever shipping sanctions. Several of the vessels—with a total deadweight of almost 1.88 million tons—were engaged in “dark” (i.e., transponder-disabled) ship-to-ship (STS) transfers with another U.S.-sanctioned vessel off the Syrian coast.
September 2024 Iran Tanker Tracking
On September 25, the United States slapped more sanctions on entities and individuals connected to Iran's petroleum sector—by far the regime’s most important financial lifeline. The U.S. Department of Treasury, Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) blacklisted multiple entities—three individuals, four companies, plus nine vessels—all Chinese or Emirati-owned or -based.
October 2024 Iran Tanker Tracking
Since the brutal October 7 attack by Iran-backed Hamas, the Biden Administration has noticeably ramped up sanctions on “Ghost Fleet” “Ghost Fleet” tankers. As of October 28, 2024, a total of 98 tankers were sanctioned during the preceding twelve months.
November 2024 Iran Tanker Tracking
The incoming second Trump Administration has reignited interest in the "Maximum Pressure" campaign on Iran, signaling intentions to further limit the Iranian regime’s oil exports and its financial resources. While these actions aim to curb Iran’s destabilizing influence, the persistence and expansion of illicit networks—operating under the guise of the "Dark Fleet"—underscore the ongoing challenges to enforcement.
UANI’s Final Tanker Tracker of 2024: A Year in Review
Iran’s ability to sustain and increase its oil exports remains a critical factor in keeping the regime financially afloat. In 2024, despite U.S. sanctions, Iranian exports remained high, benefiting from OPEC+ cuts and the ongoing lax enforcement of sanctions. This helped the regime to bolster its economic resilience while continuing its support for human rights abuses and proxies like Hezbollah and Hamas. In 2024, Iran exported 587 million barrels of oil, an increase of 10.75% compared to 2023’s 530 million barrels. Over the four years since the start of the Biden Administration, with less than one month remaining in its term, Iran has exported a cumulative total of nearly 1.98 billion barrels of oil.
Receive Iran News in Your Inbox.
Eye on Iran is a news summary from United Against Nuclear Iran (UANI), a section 501(c)(3) organization. Eye on Iran is available to subscribers on a daily basis or weekly basis.