TITLE: United States Office of Foreign Assets Control Designates Iran-Related Individuals and Entities
BODY:
On May 11, 2026, the Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC), a component of the U.S. Department of the Treasury, added three individuals and nine entities to its Specially Designated Nationals (SDN) List as part of counter-terrorism and Iran-related sanctions designations.
The designated individuals are Mohammadreza Ashrafi Ghehi, Samad Fathi Salami, and Ahmad Mohammadi Zadeh, all Iranian nationals. All three individuals are subject to secondary sanctions under section 1(b) of Executive Order 13224, as amended by Executive Order 13886, and are linked to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC).
The designated entities include ATIC Energy FZE and Ocean Allianz Shipping LLC, both based in the United Arab Emirates; Blanca Goods Wholesaler LLC, also in the United Arab Emirates; Hong Kong Blue Ocean Limited, Hong Kong Sanmu Limited, Jiandi HK Limited, and Max Honor International Trade Co., Limited, all based in Hong Kong; Universal Fortune Trading LLC, based in the United Arab Emirates and linked to the National Iranian Oil Company; and Zeus Logistics Group, based in Oman. All entities are subject to secondary sanctions risk and are linked to either the IRGC or the National Iranian Oil Company.
The designations are intended to increase pressure on Iran's oil operations and counter-terrorism financing. Individuals and entities designated on the SDN List are subject to comprehensive sanctions, including asset freezes and transaction prohibitions. U.S. persons and entities are generally prohibited from engaging in transactions with designated individuals and entities.
REFERENCE:
Office of Foreign Assets Control. (2026). Counter Terrorism Designations; Iran-related Designations. Retrieved from https://ofac.treasury.gov/