The U.S. Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) has expanded its sanctions regime, targeting a prominent law firm, a network of shipping agents, and nine vessels suspected of facilitating Iran’s illicit oil and commodity trade via a shadow fleet.
The measures, announced under existing sanctions frameworks, aim to disrupt Iran’s efforts to bypass international restrictions by leveraging third-party intermediaries and flag-of-convenience vessels. The law firm, identified as a key enabler, is accused of providing legal cover for transactions involving sanctioned entities, while the shipping agents allegedly coordinated vessel movements and documentation to obscure the true cargo origins.
The nine vessels—operating under various flags—are flagged for repeated involvement in ship-to-ship transfers, dark storage, and other deceptive practices designed to evade scrutiny. OFAC’s action underscores the U.S. commitment to tightening enforcement against Iran’s evasion tactics, particularly in high-risk maritime hubs like the Strait of Hormuz and Gulf of Oman.
Industry observers warn that the sanctions could disrupt supply chains reliant on Iranian cargo, while compliance officers are advised to scrutinize transactions involving the named entities, their affiliates, and any vessels linked to the shadow fleet network. The move follows a pattern of targeted actions against Iran’s maritime trade infrastructure, reflecting broader geopolitical pressures on Tehran’s economic resilience.