US moves to seize more than 500,000 barrels of Iranian oil it says was illegally trafficked

[Eugene]

Source: Associated Press

US moves to seize more than 500,000 barrels of Iranian oil it says was illegally trafficked

BY ERIC TUCKER
Updated 3:19 PM EST, February 2, 2024

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Justice Department announced Friday that it was seizing more than 500,000 barrels of internationally sanctioned Iranian fuel that officials said was illegally trafficked to provide funding for the country’s paramilitary force.

In addition, prosecutors announced criminal charges related to the sale of the crude oil to buyers in China, Russia and Syria.

Officials described the actions, which come at time of simmering tensions between the U.S. and Iran, as part of a broader effort to disrupt funding to the paramilitary Revolutionary Guard’s Quds Force, an expeditionary unit believed to be working abroad in countries like Iraq, Lebanon, Syria and Yemen to back Iranian-allied militias.

“Iran presents a constant threat to the United States — trying to murder Americans right here within our borders, conducting a cyber-attack on a children’s hospital, supporting terrorists around the world, and more,” FBI Director Christopher Wray said in a statement. “All of Iran’s crimes cost money. And the FBI will remain committed to enforcing U.S. sanctions that keep money out of its coffers.”

-snip-

Read more: https://apnews.com/article/iran-oil-tanker-justice-department-46f79eab4ec43b024fcd0e9573cb98cd

[dutch777]

1. Need to hit Iran directly and economic weapons are less incendiary than real bombs. Agree we don't want to escalate...

...but we have to get Iran to stop or at least decrease material support to the aligned terror groups. Cutting oil revenue is good. Maybe use some of those graphite string bombs to temporarily shut down some power stations that support major ports. There is resistance inside Iran against the regime. Send them signs of hope and the other citizenry that they are at risk if their government does not change. Let them hear the sonic booms from our stealth aircraft a few times.

[OAITW r.2.0]

3. My take.... we are going to take out the Houthi threat. Then we'll have a frank discussion with Iran directly.

On the future of the ME. And remember, there are a significant number of Persians that have no use for the Theocratic Party in charge. If we decapitated the Revolutionary Guard, in a controlled strike....the Shia Government falls. Progress wins.

[dutch777]

5. Hope you are right about the Houthis. Very diffuse targets in civilian areas, tough. Bloody them will be a lesson...

...for others. It is also the easiest escalation to justify given attacks and effects on international trade. I agree about non aligned Persians not happy with the theocracy. But that theocracy is deeply embedded on a street by street basis as I read the situation. Another tough nut. But we have to exact a price directly on Iran or this will settle down only to boil up in more places and worse next time.

[OAITW r.2.0]

6. Boom. Hit multiple targets simultaneously tonight. No heads up.

Wait a month,

[OAITW r.2.0]

2. Give it to Ukraine.

Use what makes sense and sell the rest for weapons.

[keithbvadu2]

4. Oil has a unique ability to change country of origin once it gets out to sea.