Arabic version: سفينة رجل الأعمال الإيراني شمهاني تبقى عالقة في هرمز

A ship linked to Iranian oil magnate Mohammad Hossein Shamkhani has been reported stranded in the Strait of Hormuz. According to Al Jazeera, maritime monitoring service TankerTrackers.com revealed that the vessel, identified as the Arista, has been stuck in the same location since March and is part of an operation managed by Shamkhani, contrary to Iranian media claims that it had recently run aground.

Shamkhani, who is subject to extensive Western sanctions, is accused of operating a significant oil smuggling network involving both Iranian and Russian oil. The US Treasury Department has identified his operations as part of a larger scheme that generates billions in revenue for both countries. The Arista, while flagged in Comoros, is said to be part of Shamkhani’s network.

Reports indicate that Shamkhani’s operations involve the use of front companies to obscure the origins of the oil, which is frequently transferred between vessels. The US Treasury claims that profits from these operations are funneled through various financial mechanisms, including hedge funds and money-laundering schemes.

Sanctions against Shamkhani were first imposed last July, with additional measures introduced in April. The US Treasury has described him as leading a multi-billion dollar petroleum sales empire that profits at the expense of the Iranian population. The European Union has also sanctioned Shamkhani, citing his involvement in the Russian oil trade and his role within the shadow fleet that evades Western sanctions.

In addition to US and EU sanctions, the UK government has also taken action against Shamkhani, implementing asset freezes and travel bans. The UK has emphasized that these sanctions target individuals who facilitate Iran’s destabilizing activities in the Middle East and globally.