A sixth Iranian oil tanker has been confiscated by the United States which alleges that it broke sanctions by being linked to Venezuela adding to Washington’s pressure tactics on groups believed to be circumventing sanctions to export oil.
According to US authorities, the ship was seized as a result of a civil forfeiture action after it was established that it was involved in a plot to transport crude oil in violation of sanctions imposed on Venezuela’s state controlled oil sector.
The move is part of a wider pattern of enforcement actions that have seen the US go after vessels, cargo and facilitators that it believes have been assisting sanctioned countries in gaining access to external markets.
“The tanker had been using deceptive shipping practices in order to conceal the cargo’s point of origin and ultimate destination,” said U.S. officials.
These practices had in the past included manipulating vessel tracking data, ship to ship transfers at sea and use of complex ownership structures to conceal control of ships.
Such practices weaken sanctions regimes, according to the U.S. government.
The latest action brings to six the number of tankers seized by the US in cases linked to Venezuela in recent years.
Past cases have involved lengthy legal processes with some cargoes eventually sold by US authorities and proceeds placed under court supervision.
Officials say that not only is the aim to disrupt specific shipments but also to deter shipping companies, insurers and traders from engaging with sanctioned oil.
The United States has kept sanctions on Venezuela’s oil industry since it began focusing its broader efforts on the government of President Nicolás Maduro, citing democratic backsliding and human rights concerns.
While some limited and temporary relief has been granted at various junctures often over electoral commitments the US has continued to apply such restrictions where violations seem clear to US authorities.
The seizure comes amid deepening scrutiny of global oil flows as geopolitical tensions reshape energy markets.
Venezuela, with some of the world’s largest proved crude reserves has struggled to rebuild production and exports under sanctions relying on intermediaries and opaque trading arrangements.
To the US, those are seen as vulnerable to abuse and as conduits for finance.
For Australia, the development underlines the enduring reach of US sanctions and what that means for international trade and shipping.
Australian companies active in global energy markets maritime services or insurance would need to have sophisticated compliance systems in place to steer clear of becoming mixed up in sanctions violations.
The Federal Government has warned companies time and again to keep a close eye on US enforcement action considering how such actions can have extra territorial reach.
US officials have made clear that further investigations continue and more seizures are possible where the evidence supports action.
The latest case reinforces Washington’s message that sanctions enforcement is an active policy tool even as diplomatic channels with Caracas remain limited and uncertain.
