The US imposed a new package of sanctions against Iran's "shadow navy": who is in it

On the evening of August 21, the US Treasury Department announced on its website the introduction of the second package of sanctions against Iran's "shadow fleet" in a month.

The key figure in the new package is Greek citizen Antonios Margaritis, whom the United States considers to be the organizer of one of the largest schemes to circumvent sanctions against Iranian oil.

US authorities found that he controlled a group of oil transportation companies and continued to operate even after several of his companies and vessels were subject to previous sanctions.

The new sanctions list includes his companies Marant Shipping and Trading, Square Tanker Management, Comford Management, United Chartering, Cristobal Marine Corp.

In addition to the Greek network, the sanctions affected shipping companies and vessels in the UAE (Ozarka Shipping), the Marshall Islands (Changbai Glory Shipping) and the Virgin Islands (Regal Liberty), as well as in Hong Kong (U Beacon Shipping Co., Hong Kong Hangshun Shipping, Ares Shipping).

Among the vessels subject to the restrictions are the tankers Victory Ari, Sondos, Katsuya, Lafit, Giant, Adeline G, Kongm and Ares, which, according to US authorities, were transporting millions of barrels of Iranian oil to China.

All assets of sanctioned persons in the United States are subject to freezing, and U.S. persons are prohibited from conducting any transactions with them. Violations may result in civil or criminal penalties.

• Previous US sanctions package against Iran in July was the largest in seven years.