SE Asia should be aware of Iran's tactics to evade oil sanctions - U.S.

 

FILE PHOTO: A gas flare on an oil production platform in the Soroush oil fields is seen alongside an Iranian flag in the Gulf July 25, 2005. REUTERS/Raheb Homavandi/File Photo

 

SINGAPORE (Reuters) - The United States is keen to see that Malaysia, Singapore and others are fully aware of illicit Iranian oil shipments and the tactics Iran uses to evade sanctions, a top U.S. sanctions official said on Friday.

 

Sigal Mandelker, under-secretary of the Treasury for Terrorism and Financial Intelligence, told reporters in Singapore the United States had placed additional "intense pressure" on Iran this week.

 

"It's very important that these countries have important visibility into the different ways the Iranian regime uses to deceive the international community in connection with shipment of oil," she said, referring to her talks in Singapore and Malaysia.

 

She said would stress the inherent risks in dealing with Iran in meetings over coming days with government officials in Malaysia, Singapore and India.

 

"This trip follows on the heels of additional intense pressure we have placed on Iran. In just the last week, we took action against nuclear scientists and agencies and other key personnel involved with the Iranian regime's past nuclear weapons entities," Mandelker said.

 

"We are making them radioactive to the international community."

 

Action had been taken this week against a network involved in an Iranian sanctions evasion scheme - a network that includes Iran-, UAE- and Turkey-based front companies, she said.

 

Mandelker said she was due to meet Singapore's home, finance and trade ministries on Friday. She met officials at its central bank on Thursday.

 

She said the United States was also bringing "maximum pressure" on the Venezuelan government of President Nicolas Maduro.

 

-- © Copyright Reuters 2019-03-29

I'm sure SE Asian governments are aware of Iran's tactics. How else can you come up with a good plan for a "work around"?

I believe giving Saudi Arabia nuclear technology is a far greater risk.. 

These 'sanctions' are not internationally agreed but just a shouty country dictating to other smaller countries to do as they say and threatening them with punishment if they don't follow the line. Simple economic bullying to try and impose your will on another nation.

Despicable.

7 hours ago, webfact said:

SINGAPORE (Reuters) - The United States is keen to see that Malaysia, Singapore and others are fully aware of illicit Iranian oil shipments and the tactics Iran uses to evade sanctions, a top U.S. sanctions official said on Friday.

Illicit shipments in the eyes of one country. Looks likes there is no chance the US will ever grow up.

2 hours ago, mrfill said:

These 'sanctions' are not internationally agreed but just a shouty country dictating to other smaller countries to do as they say and threatening them with punishment if they don't follow the line. Simple economic bullying to try and impose your will on another nation.

Despicable.

 

You mean just like Russia and China do too?

And what sanctions are they putting on the UAE for conniving in evading Iranian sanctions? ...... Nothing?  Yes, i thought so. Iran, the latest bogeyman to keep the military budget going up. Isn't China more of a threat?

3 hours ago, rickudon said:

And what sanctions are they putting on the UAE for conniving in evading Iranian sanctions? ...... Nothing?  Yes, i thought so. Iran, the latest bogeyman to keep the military budget going up. Isn't China more of a threat?

I don't think there is any evidence that the UAE government is participating in avoiding the sanctions on Iraq. Some private parties, yes. Whereas, say, in Turkey, the State bank is in fact engaged in that activity.