The United States Department of State announced on Thursday that it is adding 29 “shadow fleet vessels” to its sanctions list, over their alleged engagement in the “covert delivery of hundreds of millions of dollars’ worth of Iranian oil and petroleum products.” As per a statement, among the sanctioned entities are companies and vessels operated by Hatem Elsaid Farid Ibrahim Sakr, an Egyptian businessman, alongside other firms operating in the United Arab Emirates, India, the Marshall Islands, and Panama. The US government said that today’s decision will further constrain Tehran’s “ability to export petroleum and petroleum products through obscure and fraudulent mechanisms.”
NN: “FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: December 18, 2025
U.S. Department of the Treasury
Treasury Increases Pressure on Iran’s Sanctions-Evading Shadow Fleet
Today, the U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) announced sanctions on 29 vessels and their associated management firms involved in the illicit transport of Iranian petroleum products. These vessels have been using deceptive practices to evade sanctions and facilitate the export of Iranian oil. In addition, Egyptian businessman Hatem Elsaid Farid Ibrahim Sakr has been designated for his role in coordinating the activities of multiple sanctioned vessels.
‘Treasury will continue to deprive the Iranian regime of the petroleum revenue it uses to fund its military and weapons programs,’ said Under Secretary John K. Hurley. ‘We remain committed to preventing Iran from acquiring a nuclear weapon and will use all available tools to disrupt these illicit networks.’
This action is part of the broader strategy to limit Iran’s ability to fund destabilizing activities and support for terrorism through its oil revenues. Effective immediately, all U.S. persons are prohibited from engaging in any transactions with the designated entities, and any assets of these entities within U.S. jurisdiction are blocked.”
That’s the official Treasury press release for you. I have included a link below:
!U.S. Department of the TreasuryU.S. Department of the Treasury