Sanctioning Facilitators of Iran’s Illicit Oil Sales

Today, the United States is stemming the flow of revenue the Iranian regime uses to fund its destabilizing activities, including its support for terrorism abroad and the oppression of its own people.

The Department of State is imposing sanctions on two China-based crude oil and petroleum products terminal and storage operators that have facilitated the import of millions of barrels of illicit Iranian oil onboard multiple U.S.-designated tankers.  This action is the Department’s fourth round of sanctions targeting China-based terminal operators, which play a vital role in the trade network for Iranian crude oil that funds Iran’s terrorism abroad and destabilizes the region.

Concurrently, the Department of the Treasury is sanctioning Antonios Margaritis and his network of companies for exploiting his status in the oil industry to illicitly trade in Iranian petroleum.  The Treasury action also targets other entities and vessels involved in shipping Iranian oil.

The United States will continue to take action to implement National Security Presidential Memorandum 2.  This directive imposes maximum pressure on the Iranian regime to deny it access to revenues that fund its destabilizing activities. 

Today’s action is being taken pursuant to Executive Order (E.O.) 13846 for knowingly engaging in a significant transaction for the transport of petroleum or petroleum products from Iran, and E.O. 13902, which targets Iran’s petroleum sector.  Today’s action also marks the latest round of sanctions targeting Iranian oil sales since the President issued National Security Presidential Memorandum 2 (NSPM-2), instituting a campaign of maximum economic pressure on Iran.  For more information on today’s action, please see the Department of the Treasury press releases.