Iran Sanctions: Americans on Mission in Southeast Asia

The Americans have imposed significant sanctions on Iran and its allies to drain the funds used, according to Washington, to create instability in the Middle East. Iran’s oil sales in Southeast Asia have funded armed groups close to Tehran, particularly the Palestinian Islamist group Hamas and the Yemeni rebellion Huthia senior US Treasury official said on condition of anonymity.

Oil commodities were sent by sea to buyers in the region near Singapore and Malaysia. ” Iran’s ability to transport its oil relied on these types of suppliers based in Malaysia. We want to speak directly to Malaysians about this “, the senior official added.

” Stopping these oil shipments will be a decisive blow to Iran’s ability to fund these attacks around the world, including the Houthi attacks that currently threaten commercial shipping. “, he said. The US Treasury Department will work with shipping operators and banking officials in Singapore and Malaysia to stop these sales, the official further assured.

Washington also wants to to prevent Malaysia from becoming a territory where Hamas thinks it can both collect and transfer funds “, he explained. Janet Yellen, the US Treasury secretary, said last month that Washington was working to reduce Iran’s ability to export oil, saying it could “ do more “.