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The U.S. military is taking its blockade of Iran global, targeting Tehran\u2019s shadowy \u201cdark fleet\u201d in a move aimed at choking off the regime\u2019s illicit oil lifeline.<\/p>\n
General Dan Caine, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, warned that the U.S. Navy will \u201cactively pursue\u201d Iranian-linked ships not just in the Middle East, but in other theaters as well.<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cThe joint force through operations and activities in other areas of responsibility like the Pacific \u2026 will actively pursue any Iranian-flagged vessel or any vessel attempting to provide material support to Iran,\u201d he said. \u201cThis includes dark fleet vessels carrying Iranian oil.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n Caine described the \u201cdark fleet\u201d as illicit or illegal ships \u201cevading international regulations, sanctions or insurance requirements.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n The announcement marks a significant expansion of the U.S. naval blockade of Iranian ports and coastline into a worldwide enforcement effort. United Against a Nuclear Iran (UANI) has identified more than 570 vessels as part of Tehran\u2019s so-called \u201cdark fleet,\u201d many of which are already under U.S. sanctions imposed by the Treasury Department\u2019s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC).<\/span><\/p>\n One such sanctioned vessel, the Rich Starry, drew international attention this week after appearing to successfully transit the Strait of Hormuz before turning back toward Iranian waters after reportedly facing the blockade. The Chinese-owned tanker bound for China, <\/span>carrying<\/span><\/a> roughly 250,000 barrels of methanol loaded from the United Arab Emirates, is flagged to the landlocked country of Malawi \u2014 an indicator it is likely part of Iran\u2019s \u201cdark fleet\u201d using false registration to evade sanctions. The vessel previously sailed under the name Full Star when it <\/span>was added<\/span><\/a> to the Treasury Department\u2019s sanctions list in early 2023.<\/span><\/p>\n United States Naval Forces Central Command (USNAVCENT) issued an update about the blockade expansion, announcing that \u201call Iranian vessels with OFAC sanctions, and vessels suspected of carrying contraband, are subject to belligerent right to visit and search\u201d regardless of location, according to <\/span>Seatrade Maritime News<\/span><\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n Caine said that the blockade will apply to all ships, regardless of nationality, and that U.S. forces will enforce it both in international waters and \u201cinside Iran\u2019s territorial seas.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n He added that U.S. forces have yet to board any targeted vessels, but that 13 have turned around rather than attempt to break the blockade.<\/span><\/p>\n According to OFAC<\/span><\/a>, Iran\u2019s illicit fleet serves as the \u201cregime\u2019s primary source of revenue for financing domestic repression, terrorist proxies, and weapons programs.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n The Treasury Department has also ramped up pressure through what it calls \u201cOperation Economic Fury,\u201d warning that financial institutions worldwide face consequences for facilitating Iran\u2019s oil trade. The move also included new sanctions on more than two dozen individuals, companies, and vessels on Wednesday.<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cTreasury is moving aggressively with Economic Fury, maintaining maximum pressure on Iran,\u201d the department said, adding that it is prepared to use the full range of authorities \u2014 including secondary sanctions against foreign financial institutions that continue to support Tehran.<\/span><\/p>\n The department <\/span>also said<\/span><\/a> a short-term authorization allowing the sale of Iranian oil stranded at sea will expire within days and will not be renewed. The waiver, <\/span>issued<\/span><\/a> on March 20, permitted the sale of roughly 140 million barrels of oil already loaded onto vessels.<\/span><\/p>\n Under OFAC rules, sanctioned individuals and companies have any assets in the United States frozen, and businesses they own are also restricted. U.S. citizens and residents generally cannot do business with them, and foreign companies that help them can face secondary sanctions. Some violations can lead to civil or criminal penalties.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n