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UANI Reports Dutch Law Firm Aiding Iran's Oil Industry Evade U.S. Sanctions; China Imports 1.8M b/d, Tanker PARINE Reflagged

Nov 20, 2024, 07:00 AM

A recent investigation by United Against Nuclear Iran (UANI) reveals that a Dutch-based law firm has facilitated Iran's oil industry in evading U.S. sanctions for several years. UANI's findings highlight the role of a clandestine oil shipping hub that has been funneling Iranian crude to China, particularly through ship-to-ship transfers off the coasts of Malaysia and Singapore. UANI's senior advisor noted that the scale of these illicit transfers is significantly larger in this region compared to others, benefiting from favorable geographic and weather conditions. Additionally, data indicates that China claimed to have imported a record 1.8 million barrels per day (b/d) of Malaysian oil in October, a figure that exceeds Malaysia's actual output, suggesting that much of this oil is likely Iranian. The crude oil tanker PARINE, tracked by UANI since November 2020 and designated by the U.S. Treasury in June 2024, has been confirmed to have reflagged to Iran, further underscoring the ongoing complexities of the Iran-China oil trade amidst U.S. sanctions.