Iran’s oil trade is under a relentless spotlight as the United States, European Union, and Great Britain pile on sanctions to choke its revenue, estimated at $53 billion in 2023. These funds, funneled through a shadowy network of vessels and front companies, allegedly bankroll Iran’s nuclear ambitions, missile programs, and regional proxies like Hamas and the Houthis. Since my last update, the U.S. has ramped up its “maximum pressure” campaign—sparked by Iran’s October 2024 missile attack on Israel and nuclear escalations—while the EU and GB tighten their own screws. Here’s an expanded rundown of sanctioned companies, their owners, key individuals, and vessels, pulling from the latest U.S. Treasury OFAC releases, EU Council decisions, and UK sanctions lists as of February 25, 2025.

The Stakes of Iran Oil Sanctions

Sanctions kicked off in 1979 after the U.S. Embassy seizure in Tehran, but the oil focus sharpened post-2018 when the U.S. exited the Iran nuclear deal. The EU and GB often sync up, though the EU leans on human rights violations and the UK on security threats—like Iran’s UAV support for Russia. Recent triggers? Iran’s 2024 attacks on Israel and nuclear saber-rattling, prompting the U.S. to target over 50 vessels and dozens of entities since December 2024. This shadow fleet—old tankers with fake flags and falsified docs—keeps Iran’s oil flowing to buyers like China, dodging Western pressure. Let’s unpack the latest culprits.

Sanctioned Companies and Owners

Here’s an expanded list of companies tied to Iran’s oil trade, hit by the USA, EU, or GB, with ownership details where known:

• Sepehr Energy Jahan Nama Pars
  Owner: Tied to Iranian pension funds, veiled by state control.
  Sanctioned by: USA (OFAC).
  Details: A front for Iran’s Armed Forces General Staff, shipping millions of barrels to China.
• National Iranian Oil Company (NIOC)
  Owner: Iranian government.
  Sanctioned by: USA (OFAC).
  Details: Iran’s oil kingpin, hit for funding destabilizing activities.
• Iranian Oil Terminals Company
  Owner: NIOC subsidiary, state-owned.
  Sanctioned by: USA (OFAC).
  Details: Manages oil export terminals, a cash cow for Iran’s regime.
• Nycity Shipmanagement Co Ltd
  Owner: PRC-based private firm, ownership unclear.
  Sanctioned by: USA (OFAC)
  Details: Runs URGANE I, shuttling Iranian crude to China.
• Flux Maritime LLP
  Owner: Indian private entity, details obscured.
  Sanctioned by: USA (OFAC).
  Details: Technical manager for ships hauling Iranian oil.
• Sunny Land Trading Ltd
  Owner: Seychelles shell company, ownership hidden.
  Sanctioned by: USA (OFAC).
  Details: Owns LYDIA II, part of Iran’s oil smuggling web.
• Green Garden Trading Ltd
  Owner: Seychelles shell, no clear owner.
  Sanctioned by: USA (OFAC).
  Details: Operates AYDEN, feeding PRC refineries.
• Artemis Heart Ltd
  Owner: Seychelles front, ownership murky.
  Sanctioned by: USA (OFAC).
  Details: Manages FIONA, tied to Iranian shipments.
• Tightship Shipping Management (OPC) Private Limited
  Owner: Indian private firm, ownership not public.
  Sanctioned by: USA (OFAC, December 2024).
  Details: Runs OLIVE, BLACK PANTHER, LIONESS, moving tens of millions in oil.
• Lightship Management Ltd
  Owner: Ukraine-based, details scarce.
  Sanctioned by: USA (OFAC, December 2024).
  Details: Operates TONIL, evading sanctions for Iran.
• Journey Investment Company
  Owner: Marshall Islands-registered shell.
  Sanctioned by: USA (OFAC, December 2024).
  Details: Owns MS ENOLA, a veteran oil smuggler.
• Rose Shipping Limited
  Owner: Liberia/Greece private entity.
  Sanctioned by: USA (OFAC, December 2024).
  Details: Manages MS ENOLA, MS ANGIA, MS MELENIA.
• Passada Maritime Limited
  Owner: Marshall Islands shell, ownership veiled.
  Sanctioned by: USA (OFAC, December 2024).
  Details: Owns MS ANGIA, linked to illicit runs.
• Master Joint Co., Limited
  Owner: Hong Kong-based, tied to Triliance Petrochemical.
  Sanctioned by: USA (OFAC, December 2024).
  Details: Brokers Iranian petrochemical sales.
• CELIA ARMAS LTD
  Owner: Unknown shell entity.
  Sanctioned by: USA (State Dept, February 2025).
  Details: Owns OCTANS, transporting Iranian oil.
• ENGEN MANAGEMENT NV
  Owner: Likely Caribbean shell, details unclear.
  Sanctioned by: USA (State Dept 2025).
  Details: Linked to HORNET, moving Iranian crude.
• STRONG ROOTS PROVIDER NV
  Owner: Unknown front company.
  Sanctioned by: USA (State Dept).
  Details: Owns BERG 1, part of the oil chain.
• GLAZING FUTURE MANAGEMENT NV
  Owner: Suspected shell, no clear owner.
  Sanctioned by: USA (State Dept).
  Details: Runs VORAS, shipping Iranian oil.
• ALYA MARINE SENDIRIAN BERHAD
  Owner: Malaysian private firm, ownership vague.
  Sanctioned by: USA (State Dept).
  Details: Operates SHANAYE QUEEN, CAROL.
• Young Folks International Trading Co., Limited
  Owner: Hong Kong private entity.
  Sanctioned by: USA (OFAC).
  Details: Owns CH BILLION, shipping Iranian oil to PRC.
• Petronix Energy Trading Limited
  Owner: Hong Kong-based, ownership not public.
  Sanctioned by: USA (OFAC).
  Details: Bought tons of Iranian oil from Naftiran Intertrade.
• Marshal Ship Management Private Limited
  Owner: Indian firm with UAE offices.
  Sanctioned by: USA (OFAC)
  Details: Manages vessels like SIRI for Sepehr Energy.
• Ocean Dolphin Ship Management
  Owner: Hong Kong private entity.
  Sanctioned by: USA (OFAC).
  Details: Facilitates Iranian oil shipments.
• Gozoso Group
  Owner: Hong Kong-based, details sparse.
  Sanctioned by: USA (OFAC).
  Details: Part of Iran’s oil transport network.
• Miletus Line
  Owner: Seychelles-registered shell.
  Sanctioned by: USA (OFAC).
  Details: Linked to Iranian oil logistics.
• Umbra Navi Ship Management Corp
  Owner: Kazakhstan-based, Seychelles-registered.
  Sanctioned by: USA (OFAC).
  Details: Manages shadow fleet vessels.
• IRGC (Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps)
  Owner: Iranian military branch.
  Sanctioned by: EU (ongoing)
  Details: Smuggles oil, funds UAVs for Russia.
• IRISL (Islamic Republic of Iran Shipping Lines)
  Owner: Iranian state-owned.
  Sanctioned by: EU (pre-2016, some active).
  Details: Historically tied to oil and arms.
• Ports and Maritime Organization (Iran)
  Owner: Iranian government.
  Sanctioned by: EU (November 2024).
  Details: Runs ports for oil and UAV shipments.
• Max Maritime Solutions FZE
  Owner: UAE-based private firm.
  Sanctioned by: USA (OFAC, October 2024).
  Details: Manages BENDIGO, CARNATIC, SALVIA for NIOC.
• Cathay Harvest Marine Ltd
  Owner: Hong Kong private entity.
  Sanctioned by: USA (OFAC, October 2024).
  Details: Owns LUNA PRIME, shipping Iranian oil.
• Elza Shipping SA
  Owner: Liberia-based private firm.
  Sanctioned by: USA (OFAC, October 2024).
  Details: Operates ELZA, moving NIOC condensate.

Key Individuals

Here’s an expanded list of sanctioned individuals driving Iran’s oil trade:

• Arash Lavian
  Company: Sepehr Energy Jahan Nama Pars
  Role: Master of SIRI, falsifies shipping docs.
  Sanctioned by: USA (OFAC, February 2025).
• Majid A’zami
  Company: Sepehr Energy Jahan Nama Pars
  Role: Deputy chairman, managing director.
  Sanctioned by: USA (OFAC, February 2025).
• Masoud Karbasian
  Company: National Iranian Oil Company
  Role: CEO, oversees oil exports.
  Sanctioned by: USA (OFAC, February 2025).
• Sayyed Ali Miri
  Company: Iranian Oil Terminals Company
  Role: Senior logistics official.
  Sanctioned by: USA (OFAC, February 2025).
• Ali Moalemi
  Company: Iranian Oil Terminals Company
  Role: Key terminal manager.
  Sanctioned by: USA (OFAC, February 2025).
• Hamid Bovard
  Company: National Iranian Oil Company
  Role: Deputy Minister of Petroleum, NIOC chief.
  Sanctioned by: USA (OFAC, February 2025).
• Ali Akbar Safaei
  Company: Ports and Maritime Organization
  Role: Managing Director, runs sanctioned ports.
  Sanctioned by: EU (November 2024).

Sanctioned Vessels (USA, EU, GB)

Here’s a beefed-up list of vessels, including previous ones plus new additions from recent USA, EU, and GB actions:

• CASINOVA (YING GE)
  IMO: 9280366
  Route: Persian Gulf to Asia (China, Malaysia)
  Registered: Liberia
  Operated: Liberia
  Age: 21 (built 2004)
  Sanctioned by: USA (OFAC, February 2025).
• MENG XIN
  IMO: 9271406
  Route: Indian Ocean to East Asia (Singapore, China)
  Registered: Panama
  Operated: Singapore
  Age: 22 (built 2003)
  Sanctioned by: USA (OFAC, February 2025).
• PHOENIX I
  IMO: 9236248
  Route: Middle East to Southeast Asia (Indonesia)
  Registered: Cook Islands
  Operated: UAE
  Age: 23 (built 2002)
  Sanctioned by: USA (OFAC, February 2025).
• URGANE I
  IMO: 9231901
  Route: Iran to China
  Registered: Panama
  Operated: Singapore (Nycity Shipmanagement)
  Age: 24 (built 2001)
  Sanctioned by: USA (OFAC, February 2025).
• LYDIA II
  IMO: 9365776
  Route: Persian Gulf to South Asia (India)
  Registered: Panama
  Operated: Panama (Sunny Land Trading)
  Age: 11 (built 2014)
  Sanctioned by: USA (OFAC, February 2025).
• AYDEN
  IMO: 9365764
  Route: Iran to Far East (Japan, South Korea)
  Registered: Panama
  Operated: Panama (Green Garden Trading)
  Age: 11 (built 2014)
  Sanctioned by: USA (OFAC, February 2025).
• FIONA
  IMO: 9365752
  Route: Middle East to East Asia (China)
  Registered: Panama
  Operated: Panama (Artemis Heart)
  Age: 11 (built 2014)
  Sanctioned by: USA (OFAC, February 2025).
• YATEEKA
  IMO: 9191553
  Route: Iran to India
  Registered: Gabon
  Operated: India
  Age: 30 (built 1995)
  Sanctioned by: USA (OFAC, February 2025).
• AMAK
  IMO: 9244635
  Route: Persian Gulf to Southeast Asia (Malaysia)
  Registered: Eswatini
  Operated: India
  Age: 22 (built 2003)
  Sanctioned by: USA (OFAC, February 2025).
• VIOLET 1
  IMO: 9154000
  Route: Iran to China
  Registered: Panama
  Operated: Malaysia
  Age: 27 (built 1998)
  Sanctioned by: USA (OFAC, February 2025).
• PETERPAUL
  IMO: 9163269
  Route: Middle East to East Asia (China)
  Registered: Panama
  Operated: Malaysia
  Age: 26 (built 1999)
  Sanctioned by: USA (OFAC, February 2025).
• CHAMTANG
  IMO: 9212400
  Route: Persian Gulf to Southeast Asia (Thailand)
  Registered: Panama
  Operated: Malaysia
  Age: 23 (built 2002)
  Sanctioned by: USA (OFAC, February 2025).
• ASTERIX
  IMO: 9181194
  Route: Iran to Africa (South Africa)
  Registered: Gambia
  Operated: Seychelles
  Age: 31 (built 1994)
  Sanctioned by: USA (OFAC, February 2025).
• OLIVE
  IMO: Not specified
  Route: Iran to Asia (unspecified)
  Registered: Unknown
  Operated: India (Tightship Shipping)
  Age: Unknown
  Sanctioned by: USA (OFAC, December 2024).
• BLACK PANTHER
  IMO: Not specified
  Route: Iran to Asia (ship-to-ship transfers)
  Registered: Unknown
  Operated: India (Tightship Shipping)
  Age: Unknown
  Sanctioned by: USA (OFAC, December 2024).
• LIONESS
  IMO: Not specified
  Route: Iran to Asia (unspecified)
  Registered: Unknown
  Operated: India (Tightship Shipping)
  Age: Unknown
  Sanctioned by: USA (OFAC, December 2024).
• TONIL
  IMO: 9307932
  Route: Iran to unspecified markets
  Registered: Panama
  Operated: Ukraine (Lightship Management)
  Age: 20 (built 2005)
  Sanctioned by: USA (OFAC, December 2024).
• MS ENOLA
  IMO: 9251951
  Route: Iran to global markets
  Registered: Djibouti
  Operated: Liberia/Greece (Rose Shipping)
  Age: 23 (built 2002)
  Sanctioned by: USA (OFAC, December 2024).
• MS ANGIA
  IMO: 9246281
  Route: Iran to global markets
  Registered: San Marino
  Operated: Liberia/Greece (Rose Shipping)
  Age: 23 (built 2002)
  Sanctioned by: USA (OFAC, December 2024).
• MS MELENIA
  IMO: 9302023
  Route: Iran to global markets
  Registered: Panama
  Operated: Liberia/Greece (Rose Shipping)
  Age: 21 (built 2004)
  Sanctioned by: USA (OFAC, December 2024).
• HORNET
  IMO: Not specified
  Route: Iran to Asia
  Registered: Unknown
  Operated: ENGEN MANAGEMENT NV
  Age: Unknown
  Sanctioned by: USA (State Dept, February 2025).
• BERG 1
  IMO: Not specified
  Route: Iran to unspecified markets
  Registered: Unknown
  Operated: STRONG ROOTS PROVIDER NV
  Age: Unknown
  Sanctioned by: USA (State Dept, February 2025).
• VORAS
  IMO: Not specified
  Route: Iran to unspecified markets
  Registered: Unknown
  Operated: GLAZING FUTURE MANAGEMENT NV
  Age: Unknown
  Sanctioned by: USA (State Dept, February 2025).
• SHANAYE QUEEN
  IMO: Not specified
  Route: Iran to Asia
  Registered: Unknown
  Operated: Malaysia (ALYA MARINE)
  Age: Unknown
  Sanctioned by: USA (State Dept, February 2025).
• CAROL
  IMO: 9070072
  Route: Iran to Asia
  Registered: Unknown
  Operated: Malaysia (ALYA MARINE)
  Age: 32 (built 1993)
  Sanctioned by: USA (State Dept, February 2025).
• OCTANS
  IMO: Not specified
  Route: Iran to unspecified markets
  Registered: Unknown
  Operated: CELIA ARMAS LTD
  Age: Unknown
  Sanctioned by: USA (State Dept, February 2025).
• CH BILLION
  IMO: 9276585
  Route: Iran to PRC (via ship-to-ship)
  Registered: Panama
  Operated: Hong Kong (Young Folks)
  Age: 21 (built 2004)
  Sanctioned by: USA (OFAC, February 2025).
• STAR FOREST
  IMO: 9237632
  Route: Iran to PRC
  Registered: Hong Kong
  Operated: Hong Kong
  Age: 23 (built 2002)
  Sanctioned by: USA (OFAC, February 2025).
• SIRI (formerly ANTHEA)
  IMO: 9281683
  Route: Operating off Singapore
  Registered: Comoros
  Operated: Singapore (Marshal Ship Management)
  Age: 22 (built 2003)
  Sanctioned by: USA (OFAC, February 2025).
• BENDIGO
  IMO: 9289491
  Route: Iran to PRC
  Registered: Unknown
  Operated: UAE (Max Maritime)
  Age: 21 (built 2004)
  Sanctioned by: USA (OFAC, October 2024).
• CARNATIC
  IMO: 9304655
  Route: Iran to PRC
  Registered: Unknown
  Operated: UAE (Max Maritime)
  Age: 20 (built 2005)
  Sanctioned by: USA (OFAC, October 2024).
• SALVIA
  IMO: 9297319
  Route: Iran to PRC
  Registered: Unknown
  Operated: UAE (Max Maritime)
  Age: 20 (built 2005)
  Sanctioned by: USA (OFAC, October 2024).
• LUNA PRIME (formerly SELENE)
  IMO: 9174220
  Route: Iran to PRC (via Singapore)
  Registered: Hong Kong
  Operated: Hong Kong (Cathay Harvest)
  Age: 27 (built 1998)
  Sanctioned by: USA (OFAC, October 2024).
• ELZA
  IMO: 9221671
  Route: Iran to PRC (via Singapore)
  Registered: Liberia
  Operated: Liberia (Elza Shipping)
  Age: 24 (built 2001)
  Sanctioned by: USA (OFAC, October 2024).
• HAFNIA NORDICA
  IMO: 9479840
  Route: Iran to Russia (UAV transport)
  Registered: Singapore
  Operated: Unknown
  Age: 15 (built 2010)
  Sanctioned by: EU (November 2024).
• AQUAMARINE
  IMO: 9419448
  Route: Iran to Russia (Caspian Sea)
  Registered: Russia
  Operated: Russia
  Age: 16 (built 2009)
  Sanctioned by: EU (November 2024).
• LILYANA
  IMO: Not specified
  Route: Iran oil trade (unspecified)
  Registered: Unknown
  Operated: Unknown
  Age: Unknown
  Sanctioned by: GB (UK Sanctions List, February 2025).
• PHOENIX
  IMO: Not specified
  Route: Iran oil trade (unspecified)
  Registered: Unknown
  Operated: Unknown
  Age: Unknown
  Sanctioned by: GB (UK Sanctions List, February 2025).
• ETERNAL FORTUNE
  IMO: 9234367
  Route: Iran (Kharg Island) to global markets
  Registered: Unknown
  Operated: Unknown (insured by American Club)
  Age: 23 (built 2002)
  Sanctioned by: USA (implied, per NYT investigation).

How It All Ties Together

The U.S. uses Executive Orders 13846 and 13902 to freeze assets and ban dealings, with OFAC’s February 24, 2025, action hitting over 30 vessels and entities. The EU’s November 2024 sanctions target Iran-Russia ties (e.g., HAFNIA NORDICA), banning port access. GB’s February 2025 list aligns with U.S. efforts, focusing on oil revenue. Iran’s playbook? Old ships, flags like Panama and Gambia, and middlemen in Hong Kong and the UAE. MarineTraffic and VesselFinder data show these vessels spoofing locations—ETERNAL FORTUNE, for instance, broadcasted fake Gulf of Oman coords while at Kharg Island.