US Blocks Vessels for Alleged Iranian Arms Shipments to Russia

On September 10th, the US announced sanctions on several vessels involved in transporting munitions from Iran to Russia, accusing Iran of supplying Russia with arms to be used in the ongoing conflict against Ukraine.

According to US officials, multiple ships operated by the Russian company MG-FLOT have been transporting munitions, including Close Range Ballistic Missiles (CRBMs), from Iran to Russia. These munitions are expected to be deployed against Ukraine in the near future.

The vessels identified in these shipments include the Boris Kustodiev, Port Olya-3, Port Olya-4, and Kompozitor Rakhmaninov. These ships reportedly make frequent transits across the Caspian Sea, moving cargo between Iran and Russia.

In addition to these actions, the US has imposed sanctions on two Russian shipping companies involved in the arms transfers. Vafa Wholesale Ltd. and its vessels Vafa and Vafa-1 were blacklisted for transporting unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV)-related equipment from Iran to Russia. 

Similarly, Sea Service Limited Liability Company and its vessels, including the Omskiy-103, were sanctioned for transporting munitions from Iran to Russia via the Caspian Sea. Other vessels under this company, including the Omskiy-119 and Zakamsk, were also blocked as part of the sanctions.