“This action targets an oil broker from Oman who, in partnership with senior IRGC-QF officials, has used several companies to facilitate shipments of Iranian oil to foreign customers,” the U.S. Department of State said in a statement.
Two of the companies are reportedly based in Oman, one is registered in Liberia, while the same broker allegedly controls a company in Romania as well. Their assets in the U.S. will be blocked and U.S. companies will not be allowed to do any business with them. Foreign businesses or individuals also risk sanctions if they do any business with the designated companies or individuals.
The IRGC-QF, created in 1979 under Ayatollah Khomeini’s command, is a component of the Iranian Armed Forces tasked with defending the country’s Islamic republic political system.
The U.S. Treasury Department specified that the sanctions were imposed on Omani national Mahmood Rashid Amur Al Habsi, a foreign broker who has worked with senior IRGC-QF officials and utilized multiple businesses to arrange shipments of Iranian oil to international consumers, particularly East Asian buyers.
His companies have reportedly transported shipments worth tens of millions of dollars.
“As part of his oversight of shipping operations, Al Habsi has tampered with the automated identification systems that are onboard vessels, forged shipping documents, and paid bribes, circumventing restrictions related to Iran,” the Treasury Department said.
Al Habsi’s companies — Oman-based Nimr International L.L.C. and Orbit Petrochemicals Trading LLC, as well as Bravery Maritime Corporation, a Liberian-registered company and Romania-based Nimr International S.R.L. — have also been sanctioned.
