Greek Shipper Admits to Breaking US Sanctions on Iran Oil

Oil seized and is subject to forfeiture, according to filing
Case remained sealed amid security concerns over Iran

A satellite photo of vessels identified as the Virgo, left, and the Suez Rajan, by the advocacy group United Against Nuclear Iran, seen in the South China Sea on Feb. 13, 2022. Source: Planet Labs PBC/AP Photo

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By Joe Schneider

September 7, 2023 at 1:44 AM UTC

This article is for subscribers only.

A Greek shipping company admitted to violating US sanctions on Iran by transporting oil from the Middle East country in an agreement with the US that was kept under wraps for almost five months amid fears of Iranian retaliation.

Empire Navigation Inc. entered into a deferred prosecution agreement with the US on April 19, pledging to transport almost 1 million barrels of the illicit Iranian oil to the US for seizure and forfeiture, according to a recently unsealed court filing in Washington federal court. Under the accord, the US won’t prosecute the company in exchange for its cooperation.