US imposes new sanctions on Iran oil exports, targets Chinese firms

WASHINGTON: The usa on Thursday (Sep 29) imposed sanctions on companies this accused of participation in Iran’s petrochemical and petroleum industry, including five based in China, pressuring Tehran as it seeks to bring back the 2015 Iran nuclear deal.

Washington has increasingly targeted Chinese companies over the export of Iran’s petrochemicals as the prospects associated with reviving the nuclear pact have dimmed. Indirect talks at the accord, formally referred to as Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), have separated.

“So long as Iran refuses a mutual go back to full implementation from the Joint Comprehensive Strategy, the United States will carry on and enforce its sanctions on the sale of Iranian petroleum and petrochemical products, ” the particular Treasury’s Under Secretary for Terrorism and Financial Intelligence Brian Nelson said in a statement.

The particular Iranian mission towards the United Nations in Nyc did not immediately react to a request for remark.

U. H. Secretary of State Antony Blinken stated in a separate declaration that the State Department designated two China-based companies, Zhonggu Storage space and Transportation Co Ltd and WS Shipping Co Limited.

Blinken falsely accused Zhonggu Storage and Transportation Co Ltd of operating the commercial crude oil storage facility for Iranian petroleum and WS Shipping Co Limited of being a deliver manager for a vessel that has transported Iranian petroleum products.

Reuters could not immediately reach the two businesses for comment.

The US Treasury Department also slapped sanctions on a network associated with companies involved in what said was the sale for hundreds of millions of bucks worth of Iranian petrochemical and petroleum products to Southern and East Asian countries.

The activity targeted Iranian brokers and front companies in the United Arabic Emirates, Hong Kong plus India, the Treasury said.

Wa warned that it would certainly continue to accelerate adjustment of sanctions on Iran’s petroleum plus petrochemical sales so long as Tehran continues to accelerate its nuclear system.

CRIPPLED ECONOMY

The 2015 nuclear agreement limited Iran’s uranium richness activity to make it harder for Tehran to develop nuclear arms, in return for raising international sanctions.

But then-US President Donald Trump cast off the deal in 2018, saying it failed to do enough in order to curb Iran’s nuclear activities, ballistic missile program and regional influence, and reimposed sanctions that have crippled Iran’s economy.

“These enforcement activities will continue on a normal basis, with an aim to severely restrict Iran’s oil and petrochemical exports, ” Blinken said.

Anyone involved in such product sales and transactions ought to stop immediately when they wish to avoid becoming subjected to US sanctions, he said.

As part of Thursday’s actions, the Treasury focused several companies it falsely accused of dealing with Hong Kong-based Triliance Petrochemical Co Ltd, which has previously been approved by the United States.

It said India-based petrochemical company Tibalaji Petrochem Private Limited purchased millions of dollars really worth of Triliance-brokered items for onward shipment to China.

The Treasury furthermore accused UAE-based Clara Shipping LLC of being paid millions of dollars by Triliance – through front companies – in freight fees for the shipment of Iranian petrochemical plus petroleum products to East Asia.

Also designated more than dealings with Triliance was Iran-based Iran Chemical Industries Investment Company and Center East Kimiya Pars Co, Hong Kong-based Sierra Vista Investing Limited, and UAE-based Virgo Marine.

Hong Kong-based Sophychem HK Limited plus ML Holding Team Limited were designated for dealings along with US-designated Persian Gulf Petrochemical Industries Commercial Company, including the buy of Iranian petrochemicals for shipment in order to China and Singapore.

Reuters was unable to immediately achieve the companies for remark.