TWENTY ONE

The tanker has been involved in the transportation of sanctioned Iranian oil since at least 2022 in the interests of the sanctioned National Iranian Oil Company (NIOC), which is one of the largest oil and gas companies in the world and is controlled by the Iranian Ministry of Oil. NIOC and its subsidiaries explore, produce, transport, process and export oil and natural gas in Iran. Oil revenues provide the Iranian regime with the resources to finance its nuclear program, develop advanced drones and missiles, and provide ongoing financial and material support for the terrorist activities of its regional proxies.
Iran relies on an extensive network of tankers and ship management companies in many jurisdictions to transport its oil to consumers, using deceptive tactics (falsification of documentation, manipulation of ship tracking systems, constant changes of names and flags).
The tanker is affiliated with the Indian company Tightship Shipping Management (OPC) Private Limited, which was sanctioned by USA on December 03, 2024 for its activities in the oil sector of the Iranian economy.
On December 03, 2024, USA imposed sanctions on the tanker as a property in which Tightship Shipping Management (OPC) Private Limited has an interest.