DUBAI: The United States has imposed new sanctions against companies and individuals in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Turkiye accused of helping Iran procure weapons components and move oil via so-called “shadow fleet” vessels.
In a statement, the US State Department said the measures focus on networks operating from Iran, Turkiye and the United Arab Emirates that allegedly support Tehran’s advanced conventional weapons and ballistic missile programs. The United States also blacklisted several vessels that allegedly carried hundreds of millions of dollars worth of Iranian oil and petrochemicals.
U.S. authorities allege the entities were part of efforts to facilitate Iranian oil shipments or procurement activities. There was no immediate public response from the companies. Several Turkish companies have also been added to the sanctions list.
The US Treasury said these companies were linked to procurement networks linked to Iranian entities related to aviation and defense.
In addition to the companies, several shipping companies registered in jurisdictions were sanctioned, along with several oil tankers and LPG tankers accused of being part of Iran’s “shadow fleet.”
The United States said the action was taken under executive orders targeting weapons proliferation and key sectors of Iran’s economy. The move is part of broader efforts to restrict revenue streams that the United States says fund Iran’s missile development and regional proxy activities.
The sanctions could increase compliance pressure on companies in the United Arab Emirates and Turkiye, which serve as important regional trade and logistics hubs with extensive links to global energy markets.
