The US has imposed sanctions on an international oil smuggling and money laundering network that it said was led by officials of Iran鈥檚 Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps鈥� Quds Force and supported by Russia.
The network has 鈥渇acilitated the sale of hundreds of millions of dollars worth of Iranian oil鈥� for the Quds Force and the Iran-backed Lebanese group Hezbollah, the US Treasury said in a statement on Wednesday.
Behnam Shahriyari, a US-designated Quds Force official, and former official Rostam Ghasemi lead the network, which is 鈥渂acked by senior levels of the Russian Federation government and state-run economic organs,鈥� the statement said.
While Washington remains engaged in efforts to revive the Iran nuclear deal, it 鈥渨ill not hesitate to target those who provide a critical lifeline of financial support and access to the international financial system鈥� for the Quds Force and Hezbollah, said Brian Nelson, Treasury undersecretary for terrorism and financial intelligence.
鈥淚n particular, the US will continue to strictly enforce sanctions on Iran鈥檚 illicit oil trade. Anyone purchasing oil from Iran faces the prospect of US sanctions,鈥� he added.
By Ovunc Kutlu
Anadolu Agency
energy@aa.com.tr