US sanctions at least 10 Singapore-linked maritime entities over alleged Iranian oil trade ties

The United States has sanctioned at least 10 entities linked to Singapore’s maritime sector for alleged involvement in the Iranian petroleum and petrochemical trade.

According to announcements by the US Department of State and the US Treasury in October and November, the measures target individuals, companies and vessels accused of helping transport Iranian oil and liquified petroleum gas to overseas end users.

US authorities stated that such activities “generate hundreds of millions of dollars of revenue for the Iranian regime”.

The designations include what the US government described as some of the largest international buyers of Iranian petrochemical products and the leadership of companies involved in the trade.

Singapore-based entities in the list

Three Singapore-based entities were included in the list released on 20 November.

Maritime service provider Strasse Link, its managing director Fadzlon Ahmad and senior operations manager Muhammad Danial Fadzlon were named for alleged involvement in supporting tanker movements.

Strasse Link is accused of providing pilot services to Iranian-backed tankers on 13 occasions between 1 January and 1 August.

The tankers allegedly carried Iranian crude oil through the Straits of Malacca before conducting ship-to-ship transfers just outside Singapore’s port limits.

Fadzlon Ahmad and Muhammad Danial Fadzlon were separately accused of knowingly engaging in significant transactions linked to the transport of Iranian petroleum.

US authorities allege that the pair enabled the transfer of more than 20 million barrels of Iranian crude oil.

Part of a broader ‘shadow fleet’ network

The US has imposed sanctions as part of a broader effort to curb Iran’s so-called shadow fleet, which consists of ageing tankers often operating with tracking systems disabled and engaging in unauthorised transfers in the South China Sea.

These ships lack proper ownership transparency, safety compliance, or insurance, and the oil trade is believed to fund Iran’s military activities, including ballistic missile and UAV development, as well as support for regional terrorist groups.

The sanctions follow a national security memorandum signed on 4 February directing the Treasury to intensify economic pressure through enforcement actions on parties violating existing restrictions.

Under US regulations, all assets of sanctioned individuals or companies within US jurisdiction must be blocked and reported, including entities owned 50 per cent or more by them.

The move comes amid the US President’s directive to restore “maximum pressure” on Iran.

US persons are prohibited from engaging in transactions with those on the list.

Another Singapore-based firm, Anbo Shipping, was designated for allegedly operating as part of what the US describes as Iran’s “shadow fleet”.

According to the US government, the fleet uses deceptive maritime practices to load and transport Iranian oil to buyers in other countries.

Anbo Shipping was accused of knowingly transacting in Iranian petroleum products and of links to a Panama-flagged tanker involved in crude oil transfers in July 2025 and September 2025.

The tanker allegedly participated in ship-to-ship operations involving Iranian crude.

Chinese national Gu Wenlong, believed to be a Singapore permanent resident, and Hengyang Petrochemical Logistics, a Singapore-registered but China-based firm, were also sanctioned.

The designations relate to their links with China-based Jiangyin Foreversun Chemical Logistics.

Foreversun, which operates a petrochemical terminal, had allegedly facilitated port calls and discharges of Iranian petrochemical products on at least five occasions since August 2023.

US authorities said these activities contributed to evasion of existing sanctions.

Singapore-registered Anglo Premier Shipping, its vessel APS 9, Logos Marine and its vessel Pioneer 92 were named for alleged support to Iran-affiliated tankers.

The support allegedly involved enabling ship-to-ship transfer operations near Singapore waters.

Two Indian nationals, Poonam Kasat and Kunal Kanayalal Kasat, both Singapore permanent residents, were also sanctioned.

They serve as joint directors of Singapore-registered Haresh Petrochem Singapore.

The pair are accused of knowingly engaging in trade involving Iranian petrochemical products.

India-based Haresh Petrochem, the sole shareholder of the Singapore entity, allegedly imported about US$10 million worth of Iranian petrochemical products between January 2024 and February 2025.