The US Treasury has sanctioned a Dubai-based shipping agent it ties to Iran's petrochemical trade. Whales Shipping Line LLC was added to the Specially Designated Nationals list under Executive Order 13902, its SDN entry shows, with two UAE-flagged crew and supply vessels, WHALES DIAMOND and WHALES PEARL, identified as blocked property in the October 21 action, according to OFAC's listing. The designation freezes any assets the firm holds within US reach and bars American companies and banks from dealing with it.
The company was not accused of carrying Iranian oil itself. The formal basis for the listing is material support to Amigoz, not direct operations in Iran's petroleum sector. Shipping agents handle port paperwork, berthing and supplies for vessels, work the department described as essential to moving illicit cargo through ports.
The action is one piece of a wider campaign. Treasury announced the designations under Operation Economic Outcast, a campaign in which the department said it has continued to coordinate with counterparts in Europe and around the world to sever the Iranian regime's remaining economic lifelines.
Counterparties have a short window to unwind. OFAC issued General License HH, authorizing wind-down activities, limited safety and environmental transactions, and the offloading of cargo for persons and vessels blocked on October 21, the office said. Such licenses generally allow ports and charterers to discharge cargo already at sea without breaching sanctions.