BUSHEHR PETROCHEMICAL COMPANY (a.k.a. "BUPC"), No. 7, 3rd and 4th Floor, Sattarkhan St., Habib Elah St., Metolian Blvd., Tehran 1455693916, Iran; Pars Energy Special Economic Zone, Petrochemical Complexes Phase II, Asalouye, Bushehr 7511811374, Iran; Asli Neighborhood, Asli Road Street, Nakhl Taqi's 15 Kilometer Road, Number 0, Ground Floor, Nakhl Taqi, Bushehr 7511811374, Iran; Additional Sanctions Information - Subject to Secondary Sanctions; Executive Order 13846 information: BLOCKING PROPERTY AND INTERESTS IN PROPERTY.  Sec. 5(a)(iv); Company Number 10101920878 (Iran) [IRAN-EO13846]. 
 
GLOBAL MARINE SHIP MANAGEMENT CO., LTD. (Chinese Traditional: 匯海船舶管理有限公司) (a.k.a. FENGHUI SHIP MANAGEMENT CO., LTD. (Chinese Traditional: 豐匯船舶管理有限公司); a.k.a. GLOBAL MARINE SHIP MANAGEMENT CO., LIMITED; a.k.a. HUIHAI SHIP MANAGEMENT CO., LTD. (Chinese Simplified: 汇海船舶管理有限公司)), Room 1708, Zhongshang Building, No. 100, Hong Kong Middle Road, Shinan District, Qingdao, Shandong Province, China; Flat C, 15th Floor, Unionway Commercial Centre, 283 Queens Road, Central, Hong Kong, China; Room 2108, 21/F, C Wu Building, 302-308 Hennessy Road, Wanchai, Hong Kong, China; Website www.GMSHIPS.com; Executive Order 13846 information: BLOCKING PROPERTY AND INTERESTS IN PROPERTY.  Sec. 5(a)(iv); Identification Number IMO 5528362; Commercial Registry Number 1427788 (China) [IRAN-EO13846]. 
 
GOLDEN LOTUS OIL GAS AND REAL ESTATE JOINT STOCK COMPANY (a.k.a. GOLDEN LOTUS OIL GAS & REAL; a.k.a. GOLDEN LOTUS OIL GAS AND REAL), 67 Pho Duc Chinh, Truc Bach Ward, Ba Dinh District, Hanoi, Vietnam; Executive Order 13846 information: BLOCKING PROPERTY AND INTERESTS IN PROPERTY.  Sec. 5(a)(iv); Identification Number IMO 6144804; Business Registration Number 0108209906 (Vietnam) [IRAN-EO13846]. 
 
SHANGHAI XUANRUN SHIPPING COMPANY LIMITED, Haiyi Villa, 42, Lane 97, Songlin Lu, Pudong Xinqu, Shanghai 200120, China; Room 413, Block A, International Trade Hotel, No.188, Yesheng Road, Yangshan Bonded Zone, Shanghai 200122, China; Website www.xr-shipping.com; Executive Order 13846 information: BLOCKING PROPERTY AND INTERESTS IN PROPERTY.  Sec. 5(a)(iv); Identification Number IMO 5532651; Unified Social Credit Code (USCC) 913100005515644191 (China) [IRAN-EO13846]. 
 
SHIRAZ PETROCHEMICAL COMPANY (a.k.a. SHIRAZ PETROCHEMICAL; a.k.a. SHIRAZ PETROCHEMICAL CO.; a.k.a. SHIRAZ PETROCHEMICAL COMPLEX; a.k.a. "SPC"), 6 Km Of Pol-E-Khan Road-Dorodzan Dam, PO Box 415, Shiraz, Fars 73491-31736, Iran; No. 5 Farivar Alley, Ghaem Magham Street, Tehran, Iran; Website www.spc.co.ir; Additional Sanctions Information - Subject to Secondary Sanctions; Executive Order 13846 information: BLOCKING PROPERTY AND INTERESTS IN PROPERTY.  Sec. 5(a)(iv); Tax ID No. 411168731673 (Iran); Company Number 10530010025 (Iran) [IRAN-EO13846]. 
 
SWEDISH MANAGEMENT CO SA, Office Number 82, Floor Number 8, Ajman Chamber of Commerce Building, Ajman, United Arab Emirates; Amro Street, PO Box 25701, Dubai, United Arab Emirates; Website www.swedishmanagement.ae; Executive Order 13846 information: BLOCKING PROPERTY AND INTERESTS IN PROPERTY.  Sec. 5(a)(iv); Identification Number IMO 5186278 [IRAN-EO13846]. 

1119. Does General License (GL) O authorize all wind-down transactions for any vessel that was blocked on March 2, 2023?  What if the vessel contains Iranian-origin merchandise?

Answer

Iran GL Oauthorizes U.S. persons to wind down all transactions otherwise prohibited by section 5 of Executive Order 13846 involving any vessel blocked as part of the March 2, 2023 designation (“blocked vessels”), subject to certain conditions.  This includes, among other activities, the unloading of any non-Iranian merchandise loaded on the blocked vessel as of March 2, 2023, provided there is no other sanctions nexus.  

U.S. persons are separately prohibited, pursuant to the Iranian Transactions and Sanctions Regulations, 31 CFR part 560 (ITSR), from engaging in most Iran-related transactions.  Accordingly, for blocked vessels containing Iranian-origin merchandise or involving persons ordinarily resident in Iran, Iran GL O provides a separate, more limited authorization under the ITSR.  This narrower authorization under the ITSR allows only transactions ordinarily incident and necessary to certain limited safety and environmental situations:  the safe docking and anchoring of any of the blocked vessels in port; the preservation of the health and safety of the crew; or emergency repairs or environmental mitigation or protection activities.  The offloading of Iranian-origin petroleum, petroleum products, or petrochemical products, regardless of the situation, is not authorized pursuant to Iran GL O and requires a specific license from OFAC.

U.S. financial institutions may also process transactions conducted by non-U.S. persons if such transactions would be authorized for U.S. persons pursuant to Iran GL O.  

Iran GL O is in effect until 12:01 eastern daylight time, June 30, 2023.  Persons unable to complete authorized transactions involving the blocked vessels specified in Iran GL O before its expiration are encouraged to seek guidance from OFAC in advance of that date.  As with all OFAC GLs, Iran GL O only authorizes against the authorities identified in the GL and contains certain conditions.  Please see Iran GL O for further details.

Date Released

March 2, 2023

1120. Do non-U.S. persons risk exposure to U.S. sanctions for engaging in transactions that U.S. persons would be authorized to engage in under Iran General License (GL) O?

Answer

No.  Non-U.S. persons generally do not risk exposure to sanctions for engaging in activities or facilitating transactions for such activities that would be authorized for U.S. persons pursuant to GL O .  Non-U.S. persons unable to wind down transactions in accordance with Iran GL O before 12:01 a.m. eastern daylight time, June 30, 2023, are encouraged to seek guidance from OFAC in advance of that date.

Date Released

March 2, 2023

Frequently Asked Questions 1119 and 1120

Designating Iran Sanctions Evaders

PRESS STATEMENT

ANTONY J. BLINKEN, SECRETARY OF STATE

MARCH 2, 2023

The United States is committed to significantly reducing Iranian energy exports and will sanction those facilitating Iran’s petroleum and petrochemical trade. Today, the Department of the State is designating six entities that have engaged in the transport or sale of Iranian petroleum products or petrochemical products, pursuant to Executive Order (E.O.) 13846, and is identifying 20 vessels as property or interests in property of these entities.

Specifically, the Department is designating Vietnam-based company Golden Lotus Oil Gas and Real Estate Joint Stock Company, pursuant to Section 3(a)(ii) of E.O. 13846, for knowingly engaging in a significant transaction for the transport of petroleum products from Iran.

The Department is also designating three entities pursuant to Section 3(a)(iii) of E.O. 13846 for knowingly engaging in a significant transaction for the transport of petrochemical products from Iran:

• PRC-based Global Marine Ship Mgmt. Co. Ltd.
• PRC-based Shanghai Xuanrun Shpg. Co. Ltd.
• United Arab Emirates-based Swedish Management Co. SA.

The Department is designating additional Iran-based entities below pursuant to Section 3(a)(iii) of E.O. 13846 for knowingly engaging in a significant transaction for the sale of petrochemical products from Iran:

• Shiraz Petrochemical Company, and
• Bushehr Petrochemical Co.

The Department is identifying 20 vessels as blocked property of these sanctioned entities.

• Vessels linked to Golden Lotus Oil Gas and Real Estate Join Stock Company:
  • Motor Tanker Dolphin (IMO 9052331)
  • Motor Tanker Lauren (IMO 9249685)
  • Motor Vessel Golden Bridge (IMO 9218301)
  • Motor Vessel Golden Phoenix (IMO 9224790)
  • Motor Tanker Amias (IMO 9342786)
  • Motor Tanker Jamaica (IMO 9230098)
  • Motor Vessel Golden Light 09 (IMO 9445057)
  • Motor Tanker Gas Cathar (IMO 92505057)
• Vessels linked to Swedish Management Co. SA:
  • Motor Vessel Rising Eagle (IMO 9073672)
  • Motor Vessel Rising Falcon (IMO 9105396)
  • Motor Vessel Rising Harrier (IMO 9122291)
  • Motor Vessel Cattle Force, (IMO 9175901)
  • Motor Vessel Hercules (IMO 9558517)
  • Motor Vessel Gladiator (IMO 7621011)
• Vessels linked to Shanghai Xuanrun Shpg Co.:
  • Motor Tanker Yong Xiang 29 (IMO 8744107)
  • Motor Tanker Forever Rich (IMO 9203928)
  • Motor Tanker Yong Xin (IMO 923930)
  • Motor Tanker Xuan Ning (IMO 9349095),
  • Motor Tanker Liang Sheng (IMO 9526693)
  • Motor Tanker Full Star (IMO 9773301)

Concurrent with these actions, the Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) is issuing Iran General License O, authorizing the wind down and limited safety and environmental transactions involving certain vessels in which one or more of the blocked entities identified above have an interest, through 12:01 a.m. eastern standard time, June 30, 2023.  For additional details, see Iran GL O, as well as adjoining FAQs 1119 and 1120.

As a result of today’s actions, all property and interests in property of these targets that are in the United States or in possession or control of U.S. persons must be blocked and reported to OFAC.  Furthermore, anyone conducting transactions that involve the designated entities and identified vessels risks exposure to U.S. sanctions.

These designations underscore our continued efforts to enforce our sanctions against Iran. We will not hesitate to take action against those who try to circumvent our sanctions.

U.S. Treasury Department Press Release

PRESS RELEASES

Treasury Sanctions CJNG-Run Timeshare Fraud Network

March 2, 2023

Action Coordinated with Government of Mexico

WASHINGTON — Today, the U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) sanctioned eight Mexican companies linked to timeshare fraud on behalf of the Cartel de Jalisco Nueva Generacion (CJNG). CJNG is a violent Mexico-based organization that traffics a significant proportion of the illicit fentanyl and other deadly drugs that enter the United States. Today’s action is the result of a collaboration between the United States and the Government of Mexico.

“As CJNG has consolidated territory over the past decade, it has added other crimes to its core activity of drug trafficking,” said OFAC Director Andrea M. Gacki. “In tourist destinations such as Puerto Vallarta, CJNG has become heavily engaged in timeshare fraud, which often targets U.S. citizens. This crime, which can defraud victims of their life savings, results in another significant revenue stream for the cartel and strengthens its overall criminal enterprise. Today’s action exposes this CJNG scheme and also serves as a warning to potential victims, many of whom are elderly.”

TIMESHARE FRAUD TYPOLOGY

Although there are different types of timeshare fraud, the schemes often involve the following: (1) third-party scammers, who claim to have ready buyers, make unsolicited purchase offers to timeshare owners; (2) if offers are accepted, scammers make requests of timeshare owners for payments of advance fees and taxes, supposedly to facilitate or expedite the sale with assurances of reimbursement upon closing; and (3) once multiple payments have been made to the scammers, timeshare owners eventually realize that the offers were fictitious, that there are no buyers, and that their money is gone.

SANCTIONED COMPANIES

The eight companies designated today, which are linked directly or indirectly to CJNG’s timeshare fraud activities, claim to be financial services or real estate companies. Five of the companies—Servicios Administrativos Fordtwoo, S.A. de C.V., Integracion Badeva, S.A. de C.V., JM Providers Office, S.A. de C.V., Promotora Vallarta One, S.A. de C.V., and Recservi, S.A. de C.V.—are based in or near Puerto Vallarta, Jalisco, Mexico. Servicios Administrativos Fordtwoo, S.A. de C.V. has also made direct payments to CJNG members.

Puerto Vallarta is a CJNG strategic stronghold for drug trafficking and various other illicit activities. OFAC has taken multiple actions against CJNG actors in Puerto Vallarta, including those who have ties to nightclubs, bars, and restaurants. Additionally, OFAC has designated senior CJNG members Carlos Andres Rivera Varela (a.k.a. “La Firma”), Francisco Javier Gudino Haro (a.k.a. “La Gallina”), and Julio Cesar Montero Pinzon (a.k.a. “El Tarjetas”), who are part of a CJNG enforcement group based in Puerto Vallarta that orchestrates assassinations of rivals and politicians using high-powered weaponry. 

The remaining companies designated today—Corporativo Title I, S.A. de C.V., Corporativo TS Business Inc, S.A. de C.V., and TS Business Corporativo, S.A. de C.V.—are based in Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico.

These eight companies are being designated pursuant to Executive Order (E.O.) 14059 for being owned, controlled, or directed by, or having acted or purported to act for or on behalf of, directly or indirectly, a person sanctioned pursuant to E.O. 14059, namely, CJNG.

PREVIOUS ACTIONS AGAINST CJNG

On April 8, 2015, OFAC sanctioned CJNG pursuant to the Foreign Narcotics Kingpin Designation Act (Kingpin Act) for playing a significant role in international narcotics trafficking. On December 15, 2021, OFAC also designated CJNG pursuant to E.O. 14059. In other actions, OFAC has designated numerous CJNG-linked companies that were engaged in various commercial activities and multiple individuals who played critical roles in CJNG’s drug trafficking, money laundering, and corruption.       

TIMESHARE FRAUD RESOURCES

In 2020, the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and the Securities and Exchange Commission issued a joint warning to consumers concerning fraudsters targeting owners of timeshares in Mexico. Individuals who have been victimized by this type of scam are encouraged to file a complaint with the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center by visiting https://www.ic3.gov.   

At times, perpetrators of timeshare fraud misuse government agency names in attempts to appear legitimate. For example, perpetrators may call victims and claim to represent OFAC, demanding a payment in exchange for the release of funds that the perpetrator claims OFAC has “blocked.” Today, OFAC is also issuing an alert regarding such scams, warning that individuals may falsely claim to represent OFAC in furtherance of their fraud.

Click here to read the OFAC Alert.

SANCTIONS IMPLICATIONS

As a result of today’s action, all property and interests in property of the designated persons described above that are in the United States or in the possession or control of U.S. persons are blocked and must be reported to OFAC. In addition, any entities that are owned, directly or indirectly, individually or in the aggregate, 50 percent or more by one or more blocked persons are also blocked. Unless authorized by a general or specific license issued by OFAC, or exempt, OFAC’s regulations generally prohibit all transactions by U.S. persons or within (or transiting) the United States that involve any property or interests in property of designated or otherwise blocked persons. U.S. persons may face civil or criminal penalties for violations of E.O. 14059 and the Kingpin Act.

Today’s action is part of a whole-of-government effort to counter the global threat posed by the trafficking of illicit drugs into the United States that is causing the deaths of tens of thousands of Americans annually, as well as countless more non-fatal overdoses. OFAC, in coordination with its U.S. Government partners and foreign counterparts, will continue to target and pursue accountability for foreign illicit drug actors.

The power and integrity of OFAC sanctions derive not only from OFAC’s ability to designate and add persons to the Specially Designated Nationals and Blocked Persons List (SDN List), but also from its willingness to remove persons from the SDN List consistent with the law. The ultimate goal of sanctions is not to punish, but to bring about a positive change in behavior. For information concerning the process for seeking removal from an OFAC list, including the SDN List, please refer to OFAC’s Frequently Asked Question 897 here. For detailed information on the process to submit a request for removal from an OFAC sanctions list, please click here.

U.S. Treasury Department Press Release

Designating Iran Sanctions Evaders

PRESS STATEMENT

ANTONY J. BLINKEN, SECRETARY OF STATE

MARCH 2, 2023

The United States is committed to significantly reducing Iranian energy exports and will sanction those facilitating Iran’s petroleum and petrochemical trade. Today, the Department of the State is designating six entities that have engaged in the transport or sale of Iranian petroleum products or petrochemical products, pursuant to Executive Order (E.O.) 13846, and is identifying 20 vessels as property or interests in property of these entities.

Specifically, the Department is designating Vietnam-based company Golden Lotus Oil Gas and Real Estate Joint Stock Company, pursuant to Section 3(a)(ii) of E.O. 13846, for knowingly engaging in a significant transaction for the transport of petroleum products from Iran.

The Department is also designating three entities pursuant to Section 3(a)(iii) of E.O. 13846 for knowingly engaging in a significant transaction for the transport of petrochemical products from Iran:

• PRC-based Global Marine Ship Mgmt. Co. Ltd.
• PRC-based Shanghai Xuanrun Shpg. Co. Ltd.
• United Arab Emirates-based Swedish Management Co. SA.

The Department is designating additional Iran-based entities below pursuant to Section 3(a)(iii) of E.O. 13846 for knowingly engaging in a significant transaction for the sale of petrochemical products from Iran:

• Shiraz Petrochemical Company, and
• Bushehr Petrochemical Co.

The Department is identifying 20 vessels as blocked property of these sanctioned entities.

• Vessels linked to Golden Lotus Oil Gas and Real Estate Join Stock Company:
  • Motor Tanker Dolphin (IMO 9052331)
  • Motor Tanker Lauren (IMO 9249685)
  • Motor Vessel Golden Bridge (IMO 9218301)
  • Motor Vessel Golden Phoenix (IMO 9224790)
  • Motor Tanker Amias (IMO 9342786)
  • Motor Tanker Jamaica (IMO 9230098)
  • Motor Vessel Golden Light 09 (IMO 9445057)
  • Motor Tanker Gas Cathar (IMO 92505057)
• Vessels linked to Swedish Management Co. SA:
  • Motor Vessel Rising Eagle (IMO 9073672)
  • Motor Vessel Rising Falcon (IMO 9105396)
  • Motor Vessel Rising Harrier (IMO 9122291)
  • Motor Vessel Cattle Force, (IMO 9175901)
  • Motor Vessel Hercules (IMO 9558517)
  • Motor Vessel Gladiator (IMO 7621011)
• Vessels linked to Shanghai Xuanrun Shpg Co.:
  • Motor Tanker Yong Xiang 29 (IMO 8744107)
  • Motor Tanker Forever Rich (IMO 9203928)
  • Motor Tanker Yong Xin (IMO 923930)
  • Motor Tanker Xuan Ning (IMO 9349095),
  • Motor Tanker Liang Sheng (IMO 9526693)
  • Motor Tanker Full Star (IMO 9773301)

Concurrent with these actions, the Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) is issuing Iran General License O, authorizing the wind down and limited safety and environmental transactions involving certain vessels in which one or more of the blocked entities identified above have an interest, through 12:01 a.m. eastern standard time, June 30, 2023.  For additional details, see Iran GL O, as well as adjoining FAQs 1119 and 1120.

As a result of today’s actions, all property and interests in property of these targets that are in the United States or in possession or control of U.S. persons must be blocked and reported to OFAC.  Furthermore, anyone conducting transactions that involve the designated entities and identified vessels risks exposure to U.S. sanctions.

These designations underscore our continued efforts to enforce our sanctions against Iran. We will not hesitate to take action against those who try to circumvent our sanctions.

U.S. State Department