United Against Nuclear Iran (UANI) Tackles Iran’s Illicit Oil Trade

Introduction to UANI’s Initiative

The United Against Nuclear Iran (UANI) has launched a new tracking initiative targeting ship captains and officers involved in Iran’s illicit oil trade. This initiative, dubbed the “Masters of the Ghost Armada” resource, aims to expose maritime personnel who facilitate sanctions evasion through illegal oil transport operations. The purpose of this initiative is to disrupt the financial lifelines of the Iranian regime by identifying and targeting the individuals responsible for these activities. This resource is a significant addition to UANI’s broader efforts to combat Iran’s nuclear ambitions by cutting off its financial support through oil exports UANI Launches Initiative to Target Ship Captains in Iran’s Ghost Armada Oil Trade.

The initiative focuses on tracking and exposing the captains and chief officers of vessels involved in the illegal transport of Iranian oil. These maritime officers play a direct role in sanctions evasion, enabling the Islamic Republic of Iran to fund its activities, including support for terrorist proxies. By identifying these individuals and their vessels, UANI aims to disrupt the regime’s financial lifelines, making it harder to fund its terrorist proxies, like Hezbollah and Hamas, and other nefarious activities UANI Launches Major New Resource to Track Captains Steering Iran’s Illicit Oil Trade.

The “Masters of the Ghost Armada” resource is a groundbreaking tool that identifies and tracks captains and chief officers serving on vessels sanctioned for illegally transporting Iranian oil. These maritime officers are not merely unsuspecting bystanders; they are actively involved in facilitating the illicit trade. The resource leverages advanced tracking technologies to monitor the movements of these vessels and their crew members, providing valuable intelligence to law enforcement and regulatory bodies. This information is then used to enforce sanctions and disrupt the illegal oil trade, ultimately weakening Iran’s ability to fund its aggressive foreign policy and terrorist activities Masters of the Ghost Armada: The Captains Steering Iran’s Illicit Oil Trade.

The significance of this resource cannot be overstated. It represents a crucial step in the global effort to contain Iran’s nuclear ambitions and prevent it from obtaining nuclear weapons. By targeting the captains and officers involved in the illicit oil trade, UANI is not only disrupting a key source of Iran’s revenue but also sending a clear message that such activities will not be tolerated. This initiative is part of a broader strategy to isolate and weaken the Iranian regime, making it more difficult for it to pursue its aggressive foreign policy and terrorist activities UANI Launches Major New Resource to Track Captains Steering Iran’s Illicit Oil Trade.

Role of OFAC in Sanctions

The U.S. Treasury Department’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) has acknowledged the significant role played by maritime personnel in sanctions violations, particularly in the context of illicit oil trade. This acknowledgment is a crucial step in enhancing the effectiveness of sanctions enforcement by targeting individuals and entities involved in these activities. OFAC’s new sanctions advisory targets the maritime industry, emphasizing the need for rigorous information sharing and compliance with local law requirements. The advisory recommends that both persons subject to U.S. jurisdiction and those operating in the maritime industry conduct thorough transaction due diligence to ensure accurate documentation of cargo origins and destinations, especially in areas known for potential sanctions evasion. This guidance is essential for protecting entities from exposure to U.S. secondary sanctions and for ensuring compliance with complex U.S. sanctions laws and regulations OFAC’s New Sanctions Advisory Targets Maritime Industry.

OFAC has issued a comprehensive sanctions compliance guidance for the maritime shipping industry, emphasizing a risk-based approach to ensure compliance with U.S. sanctions. The guidance highlights the need for additional due diligence and enhanced tracking systems to combat sophisticated deceptive practices. This guidance is designed to protect maritime sector stakeholders from violations of U.S. sanctions regulations and the risk of U.S. secondary sanctions. OFAC’s Sanctions List Service is available for stakeholders to access and verify designations and prohibitions OFAC Compliance Communiqué: Sanctions Compliance Guidance for the Maritime Shipping Industry.

The U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) has issued a sanctions compliance guidance for the maritime shipping industry. This guidance is aimed at enhancing compliance with U.S. sanctions by providing clear instructions on identifying and addressing common fact patterns indicative of sanctions evasion. The document also addresses counterparty due diligence issues and outlines best practices for implementing sanctions compliance protocols. This resource is essential for maritime stakeholders to ensure they are not in violation of U.S. sanctions regulations and to avoid the risks associated with secondary sanctions OFAC Compliance Communiqué: Sanctions Compliance Guidance for the Maritime Shipping Industry.

OFAC has issued additional sanctions guidance for the maritime shipping industry, emphasizing the importance of robust internal sanctions compliance controls. This guidance is designed to help maritime stakeholders navigate the complex web of U.S. sanctions laws and regulations, ensuring they are not subject to violations or the risk of U.S. secondary sanctions. The document highlights situations where buyers, sellers, or charterers may engage in deceptive practices to conceal sanctions violations, and it provides case studies to illustrate the potential consequences of such actions. OFAC’s Sanctions List Service is available for stakeholders to access and verify designations and prohibitions OFAC Compliance Communiqué: Sanctions Compliance Guidance for the Maritime Shipping Industry.

UANI’s Call to Action

Ambassador Mark D. Wallace, CEO and Founder of United Against Nuclear Iran (UANI), has issued an urgent call to tanker captains involved in Iran’s illicit oil trade to cease their activities. This call is part of UANI’s broader strategy to disrupt and expose the maritime personnel facilitating Iran’s illicit activities. The reasons behind this call are multifaceted, including the need to uphold international sanctions and the ethical responsibility to prevent the proliferation of nuclear weapons.

The expected outcomes of this call are significant. Firstly, it aims to reduce the flow of illicit oil, which is a critical component in Iran’s nuclear program. By stopping the involvement of tanker captains, UANI hopes to weaken Iran’s ability to fund its nuclear activities. Secondly, this action sends a strong message to other maritime personnel that their activities will be closely monitored and punished, thereby deterring further illicit operations. Lastly, it aligns with the broader international efforts to contain Iran’s nuclear ambitions, reinforcing the collective stance against Iran’s nuclear program.

Diverting Illicit Cargoes to the U.S. for Seizure

One of the strategies employed by UANI is the diversion of illicit cargoes to the U.S. for seizure. This involves redirecting ships carrying illicit oil towards U.S. ports, where they can be intercepted and their contents seized. This strategy is crucial for several reasons. Firstly, it allows for the physical seizure of the illicit cargo, which can then be analyzed and used as evidence in legal proceedings. Secondly, it disrupts the supply chain of illicit oil, making it more difficult for Iran to continue its nuclear activities.

However, this strategy also has implications for both the maritime personnel and the broader sanctions enforcement efforts. For the maritime personnel, it can lead to severe penalties, including fines and imprisonment. For the broader sanctions enforcement efforts, it provides a tangible way to enforce sanctions, as the seized cargo can be used as evidence of violations. This strategy is part of a broader effort to disrupt the flow of illicit goods into the U.S. and to hold accountable those involved in the illicit trade.

Cooperating with Authorities

The importance of maritime personnel cooperating with authorities cannot be overstated. Cooperation is crucial for several reasons. Firstly, it ensures that any illicit activities are quickly identified and reported, allowing authorities to take swift action. Secondly, it helps to build trust and confidence in the maritime industry, which is essential for the smooth operation of global trade. Lastly, it enables authorities to gather intelligence and evidence, which is vital for prosecuting those involved in illicit activities.

For individuals, cooperation with authorities can have significant benefits. It can lead to reduced penalties, as authorities may be more lenient towards those who cooperate. It can also provide a way for individuals to make amends for their actions and to contribute positively to the maritime industry. For the overall effort to disrupt illicit activities, cooperation is essential. It provides a vital source of information and intelligence, which can be used to identify and prosecute those involved in illicit activities. It also helps to build a culture of compliance and accountability within the maritime industry, which is essential for the long-term success of any effort to disrupt illicit activities.

Continuous Efforts by UANI

Claire Jungman, as the Chief of Staff at United Against Nuclear Iran (UANI) and the Director of the Iran Tanker Tracking Program, plays a crucial role in the organization’s strategic initiatives. Her primary focus on the real-time tracking of Iran-related vessels worldwide is a testament to her expertise and commitment to countering Iran’s illicit activities. UANI’s ship tracking program uses daily satellite imagery in collaboration with real-time Automatic Identification System (AIS) data to monitor and expose vessels involved in the illicit transfer of Iranian oil and gas condensates. This program has been instrumental in identifying and disrupting the “Ghost Armada,” a network of vessels facilitating Iran’s oil exports despite international sanctions Claire Jungman.

UANI’s emphasis on accountability is a cornerstone of its mission. Jungman has consistently advocated for holding all individuals enabling the Iranian regime’s activities accountable. This includes not only the captains and crew of the vessels but also the flag states and insurance companies that facilitate these illicit operations. By publicly naming and shaming these entities, UANI aims to create a deterrent effect, making it clear that their complicity in Iran’s illicit activities will not go unpunished. This approach has been particularly effective in pressuring flag states to enforce stricter regulations and in encouraging insurance companies to reassess their risk exposure Claire Jungman – Chief of Staff – United Against Nuclear Iran.

The new initiative by UANI builds upon its Iran Tanker Tracking Program, leveraging the existing data and methodologies to enhance its impact. The program uses a combination of AIS, satellite imagery, vessel comparison and tanker classification, and cargo datasets to uncover all under-the-radar ship-to-ship (STS) transfers and exports of Iranian oil and gas condensates. This comprehensive approach allows UANI to identify vessels involved in illicit activities more effectively, even when they employ deceptive tactics to evade detection. By continuously updating and refining its tracking methods, UANI ensures that it remains at the forefront of countering Iran’s illicit oil trade Iran Tanker Tracking.

The benefits of this approach are manifold. Firstly, it disrupts the funding channels to terrorist organizations like Hezbollah and Hamas, which rely on the illicit proceeds from Iran’s oil exports to sustain their operations. By identifying and targeting these vessels, UANI makes it harder for these organizations to finance their activities, thereby undermining their ability to pose a threat to regional and international security. Secondly, the program contributes to the overall enforcement of international sanctions against Iran, making it more difficult for the regime to access the funds it needs to maintain its nuclear and missile programs. This, in turn, strengthens the international community’s resolve in countering Iran’s nuclear ambitions Sanction tanker masters and flag states to stop Iran.

Conclusion

UANI’s initiative represents a significant step in disrupting the ‘Ghost Armada’ and holding maritime personnel accountable for their role in sanctions evasion. By continuing their efforts and building on existing programs, UANI aims to ensure that all individuals enabling Iran’s illicit activities are held accountable.

Sources

• GCaptain – UANI Launches Initiative to Target Ship Captains in Iran’s Ghost Armada Oil Trade
• United Against Nuclear Iran – UANI Launches Major New Resource to Track Captains Steering Iran’s Illicit Oil Trade
• United Against Nuclear Iran – Masters of the Ghost Armada: The Captains Steering Iran’s Illicit Oil Trade
• Winston & Strawn LLP – OFAC’s New Sanctions Advisory Targets Maritime Industry
• U.S. Department of the Treasury – OFAC Compliance Communiqué: Sanctions Compliance Guidance for the Maritime Shipping Industry
• United Against Nuclear Iran – UANI Applauds Sanctions on Tanker Captains Behind Illicit Iranian Oil Shipments
• United Against Nuclear Iran – Claire Jungman
• LinkedIn – Claire Jungman – Chief of Staff – United Against Nuclear Iran
• United Against Nuclear Iran – Iran Tanker Tracking
• TradeWinds – Sanction tanker masters and flag states to stop Iran