(Reuters) – The US government has seized ships that were all loaded with Iranian fuel in violation of sanctions imposed by the Trump administration, the Wall Street Journal reported on Thursday, citing US amtners.
U.S. prosecutors filed a lawsuit last month to seize gasoline on board four tankers Iran is trying to send to Venezuela, the Trump administration’s latest attempt to increase economic pressure on the two U.S. enemies .
The lawsuit was intended to stop the flow of revenue from oil sales to Iran, which has sanctioned Washington over its nuclear program, ballistic missiles, and influence over the Middle East. Tehran says its nuclear program is for peaceful purposes.
The four ships, named Luna, Pandi, Bering and Bella, were seized on the high seas in recent days and are now on their way to Houston, the WSJ said on.wsj.com/3auMVJ2, with officials to said, adding that senior administration officials are expected to meet the tankers at an event scheduled to mark the docking.
The report, quoting one official, said the ships had been taken over without the use of military force, but did not provide details.
Report of Rama Venkat in Bengaluru; Edited by David Gregorio
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