US Sanctions Dr. Dimitris Cambis For Helping Iran Smuggle Oil

The United States of America sanctioned a Greek shipping magnate Dr. Dimitris Cambis for allegedly helping Iran smuggle oil and defy international oil sanctions.

In a press statement, Department Spokesperson Victoria Nuland said the US imposed sanctions on Greek national Dr. Dimitris Cambis and Impire Shipping for using Iranian funds to purchase oil tankers and disguised the Iranian origin of oil transported on these vessels.

In addition, the United States also imposed sanctions on Kish Protection and Indemnity Club (Kish P&I), and Bimeh Markazi-Central Insurance of Iran (CII) for providing insurance or reinsurance to NITC.

According to Ms. Nuland, the Department of State is acting under the Iran Sanctions Act, as amended by the Iran Threat Reduction and Syria Human Rights Act of 2012 (TRA), and the TRA.

The United States also imposed a visa ban on the corporate officers of Impire Shipping, Kish P&I, and CII identified as:

Seyed Morteza Hasani Aghda-Superintendent

Greek Magnate under fire!

According to Ms, Nuland, the Department of the Treasury has also imposed sanctions against Cambis and entities under his control pursuant to its own separate authorities.

According to information available to the U.S. government, Dr. Cambis, president of Impire Shipping, helped the National Iranian Tanker Company (NITC) obtain eight tankers in late 2012.

She says US law prohibits knowingly owning or controlling a vessel that operates in a manner that conceals the Iranian origin of crude oil by obscuring or concealing the ownership, operation, or control of the vessel by NITC.

US: There are risks in working on behalf of certain Iranian entities

According to Ms. Nuland, the sanctions make clear the risks involved in working on behalf of certain Iranian entities, and will further hamper Iran’s ability to circumvent sanctions.

She notes Iran is failing to meet its international nuclear obligations, and as a result there has been an unprecedented international sanctions effort aimed at convincing Iran to change its behavior.

“The sanctions announced today represent an important step toward that goal.” – Ms. Nuland

US Sends Clear message to Iran

“Today’s sanctions action sends a clear message: the United States will act resolutely against attempts to circumvent U.S. sanctions.” – Ms. Nuland

She adds, any business that continues to support Iran’s energy sector, enable the movement of its oil tankers or facilitate Iran’s efforts to evade US sanctions could face serious consequences.

US imposes sanctions on Iran

In June 2011, the United States of America have imposed several sanctions on Iran. The United States imposed sanctions on Tidewater Middle East Company, an operator of Iranian ports owned by the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) that has links to Iranian proliferation activities.

The United States has also imposed sanctions against Iran Air, which was designated for providing material support and services to the IRGC and Iran’s Ministry of Defense and Armed Forces Logistics (MODAFL), and also has facilitated proliferation-related activities.

The European Union as well has imposed sanctions against Iran. The EU bans imports of Iranian crude oil and petroleum products, freeze the assets of the Iranian central bank, and take additional action against Iran’s energy, financial, and transport sectors.

The measures was agreed by the EU Foreign Affairs Council which are another strong step in the international effort to dramatically increase the pressure on Iran.

The Ministry of Intelligence and National Security of the Islamic Republic of Iran is the secret police and primary intelligence agency of the Islamic Republic of Iran. It is considered an important element of the Iranian government’s security apparatus. It is well funded and equipped.

In 1999, The Ministry were held responsible for the serial murders of dissident writers and intellectuals.