USA: Four Iranian Tankers Carrying Gasoline Have Been Seized

According to United States officials, four tankers carrying Iranian gasoline exports to Venezuela have been seized for allegedly violating Washington’s sanctions against the Islamic Republic. This action has been taken in line with the “maximum pressure policy” on Iran.

The Wall Street Journal reported on Thursday, August 13, citing U.S. officials, of the seizure of four tankers carrying Iranian gasoline. These vessels were scheduled to deliver the gasoline cargo to Venezuela.

According to the report, the aforementioned tankers named “Luna, Pandi, Bering and Bella” were stopped in international waters and are now heading toward the port of Houston in Texas.

Venezuela’s refineries are currently non-operational, and the country is forced to import gasoline to meet its needs. The United States has sanctioned the sale of Iranian oil.

U.S. officials have stated that the United States seized these four tankers carrying Iranian gasoline for violating Washington’s sanctions against the Islamic Republic. It was noted that the seizure operation took place without any confrontation.

When these tankers dock at the Port of Houston, senior U.S. government officials are scheduled to be present for inspection and examination of the vessels.

Meanwhile, Hojat Soltani, Iran’s ambassador to Venezuela, described the news of the seizure of the four tankers as “American psychological warfare” and also denied that the vessels are Iranian. According to him, “neither are the vessels Iranian nor is their ownership or flag related to Iran.”

The U.S. Department of Justice submitted a request in July to U.S. authorities to seize the four tankers that were heading to Venezuela.

In its indictment, the American prosecutor’s office stated that the Islamic Republic “uses revenues from exporting fuel to Venezuela for warmongering activities, proliferation of weapons of mass destruction, and military equipment and weapons in support of terrorism and violations of human rights.”

According to the Wall Street Journal report, when the U.S. Department of Justice sought to seize these tankers, two vessels, Bering and Bella, were in the waters of Cape Sub. The latest radio signals from the Pandi and Luna vessels were also transmitted from the Oman Sea in July.

U.S. officials claim that an Iranian merchant affiliated with the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps was behind the scenes and by establishing shell companies, some of which have different owners, intended to cover his tracks.

In the Wall Street Journal report, it stated that the ownership of these vessels or the right to operate them belongs to a person named “George Gialouzogolo” and his son “Marius.”

Since 2018, following its withdrawal from the JCPOA, the United States has imposed “maximum sanctions” on Iran’s oil exports, declaring its objective as forcing the Islamic Republic to halt its nuclear program, limit the development of ballistic missiles, and reduce military influence in the Middle East.

Increasing restrictions on Iran’s government revenue channels through oil sales is among the U.S. efforts in this regard.

Source: DW