Iran Ships $220 Million Worth of Oil Despite U.S. Sanctions

An Iranian oil tanker has reportedly reached the Asia-Pacific region, bypassing strict U.S. naval sanctions, according to vessel tracking firm TankerTrackers.com.

The tanker, named Huge and owned by the National Iranian Tanker Company, is carrying approximately 1.9 million barrels of crude oil, with an estimated market value of $220 million.

The tracking firm said the vessel was spotted off the coast of Sri Lanka about a week ago. It is now reportedly moving through the Lombok Strait toward the Riau Islands.

At the time Washington announced the sanctions, the tanker was within Iranian waters. Its tracking system (AIS) was subsequently switched off for an extended period, making it difficult to monitor its exact movements.

Iranian officials claim that at least 52 of their vessels have successfully bypassed the sanctions. However, U.S. authorities say they have forced 41 Iran-linked ships to alter their routes.

American officials also maintain that the sanctions have significantly disrupted Iran’s oil exports, causing losses amounting to several billion dollars.

Source: Al Jazeera