Trump's Iran Sanctions Hit Three Ships Involved in China Oil Trade
President Donald Trump's latest round of sanctions have targeted three vessels involved in the transportation of Iranian oil headed for China. Yet, for analysts, the measures fall short of the "maximum pressure" strategy his administration had promised.
Key Takeaways:
-Three oil tankers—CH Billion, Gioiosa, and Star Forest—sanctioned for moving Iranian crude.
-Sanctions hit companies linked to Tehran's Armed Forces General Staff.
-Concerns about the market alleviated as Trump appears to show openness to new nuclear deal.
Iran-China Oil Trade Under Fire
On Thursday, the U.S. Treasury Department imposed fresh sanctions on one very-large crude carrier and two Aframax tankers for facilitating Iran's oil exports to China. Several associated companies and individuals across multiple countries were also blacklisted. The entities were reportedly operating on behalf of Tehran's Armed Forces General Staff and its sanctioned front company, Sepehr Energy Jahan Nama Pars.
Shipping executives and oil traders had braced for months in the run-up to Trump's return to office on January 20. His harsh words against Iran during his first term had raised speculation of a broad sanctions package that could scramble global supply chains—after the Biden administration also launched an aggressive set of moves against Russia earlier in the month.
He had slapped on three sets of sanctions on the Iran-China oil trade in late 2023 alone. But these latest actions seem relatively measured at a time when the former president has already scaled back his rhetoric, offering terms for a new nuclear deal to let Iran "peacefully grow and prosper."
Sanctioned Vessels and Their Activities
Among them is the CH Billion, a 21-year-old Aframax tanker flying the flag of Panama, added to Treasury's list of sanctions. In 2024, the ship purportedly delivered 700,000 barrels of Iranian crude in a series of ship-to-ship transfers off Singapore-an area well utilized in secretive oil transfers. More recently, the ship took part in transporting oil from Russia's Kozmino port - the very facility that has received numerous slappings by heavy U.S. sanctions.
The other two vessels involved are the Panama-flagged Gioiosa and the Hong Kong-flagged Star Forest.
Also targeted was the Comoros-flagged tanker Siri, the latest Treasury statement indicated. According to U.S. officials, the vessel's Iranian owner attempted to disguise its identity by falsifying documents and rebranding its name with new paint in an attempt to masquerade as another tanker, New Prime.
What's Next?
These are the latest actions in Washington's sustained effort to crack down on Iranian oil shipments, but industry experts said the sanctions are unlikely to cause significant disruptions. The future of US-Iran trade policies is unclear as Trump says he is willing to negotiate a new nuclear deal.
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