New sanctions follow 'deceptive behaviour' by IRISL
The European Union has approved new sanctions banning Iranian air cargo and shipping companies from operating in member states.
The EU approved the sanctions as it believes Tehran is trying to develop nuclear weapons, but Iran claims its nuclear programme is set up to produce energy.
Meanwhile, the US has named more “front companies” for Islamic Republic of Iran Shipping Lines (IRISL), subjecting them to the restrictions Washington applies against Iran’s dominant operator.And a further 27 vessels have been added to a blacklist of ships said to be under IRISL control. The moves are part of new measures targeting Tehran, backed by the United Nations SecurityCouncil, some of which affect IRISL.
The US Treasury said IRISL had engaged in deceptive behaviour to evade scrutiny, including falsification of shipping documents and systematic changing of vessel identities, using bogus corporate entities to facilitate the tactics. It claimed a company called Hafiz Darya Shipping Company, known as HDS Lines, was set up in 2009 to take over IRISL’s container shipping operations, while other entities said to be linked to IRISL include ship manager Soroush Sarzamin Asatir Ship Management Company and Safiran Payam Darya Shipping Co, known as Sapid, which carries out bulk and general cargo operations.
Meanwhile, reports suggest Iran has warned it will retaliate if more air freight destined for the country is interfered with, after shipments from Russia to Iran were seized last week. Iran Parliament Speaker Ali Larijani said: “I am warning the US and certain adventurous countries that in case they plan to inspect the cargo of Iranian ships and planes, they should rest assured that we will do the same in the Persian Gulf and the Sea of Oman. “This retaliation would be part of our policy to protect our national interests.”
Source: Damian Brett, IFW News, 18 June 2010