TAVARIS CASSEL

The tanker is involved in the supply of Iranian oil to China.
The Iranian Armed Forces General Staff (AFGS) and its main commercial subsidiary, Sepehr Energy Jahan Nama Pars Company (Sepehr Energy), continue to create front companies and rely on buyers and intermediaries to facilitate their authorized oil trade. AFGS and Sepehr Energy continue to rely on access to a fleet of aging shadow fleet oil tankers to supply oil to foreign buyers. As of early 2025, Sepehr Energy official Toomaj was using vessel IMO 9275660 to facilitate the supply of Iranian oil to China.
Many tankers involved in transporting Iranian oil to countries such as China are also involved in Venezuelan trade, including tanker IMO 9235244. On June 11, 2022, Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro and former Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi signed a 20-year cooperation agreement to expand ties in the oil and petrochemical industries, as well as in the military and economic spheres. Since then, bilateral ties have begun to develop. Most cargo is transported by ships belonging to the sanctioned National Iranian Tanker Company (NITC) in both directions. A significant number of ships flying under foreign (non-Iranian) flags are also involved in this trade.
On May 13, 2025, the US imposed sanctions on the tanker.