CIVIL AND CRIMINAL CHARGES FILED AGAINST TWO IRANIANS FOR VIOLATING SANCTIONS IN THE PURCHASE OF AN OIL TANKER

Two Iranian nationals, AMIR DIANAT and KAMRAN LAJMIRI, have been charged with violating export sanctions against Iran, and American export laws, ITSR and IEEPA, for using a web of front companies and false documentation to purchase a $10m crude oil tanker destined for Iran. The end-users of the vessel are alleged to be the IRGC-Qods Force, the National Iranian Oil Company and the National Iranian Tanker Company (NITC). The IRGC is an OFAC-designated Foreign Terrorist Organization (FTO). Note that the defendants' company is TAIF MINING. The vessels name is the NAUTIC l/k/a GULF SKY.

In addition, a civil Forfeiture Complaint has been filed in the amount of $12,338,941. The case is reportedly the largest forfeiture action to be filed against the IRGC-QF. readers who wish to access more details about the facts are advised to review the FBI Agent's Affidavit in Support of Application for Arrest Warrant here.

The defendants are facing a potential sentence of 20 years in Federal Prison.