US Seizes Websites of Iranian Companies Involved in Brokering Fuel Shipments to Venezuela

WASHINGTON (Sputnik) - The United States has seized three websites of Iranian companies involved in fuel shipments to Venezuela, the US Department of Justice said in a statement on Friday.

"The Justice Department today announced the seizure of three websites used by three front companies: Mobin International, Sohar Fuel, and Oman Fuel, who arranged a multimillion-dollar fuel shipment by the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), a designated foreign terrorist organization, that was bound for Venezuela," the statement said.

All three websites now show a picture with a displayed US flag and notice that the domain has been seized and is under control of the US government.

On August 14, the US authorities announced the seizure of more than 1 million barrels of Iranian oil from four vessels named Bering, Bella, Pandi and Luna. The shipment had been linked to Venezuela, the authorities said.

The Justice Department alleged in a forfeiture complaint that Iranian businessman Mohammad Madanipour - allegedly linked to the IRGC - used a web of front companies, including Mobin International to perpetuate the oil scheme.

Iranian Oil Minister Bijan Zanganeh said in mid-August that seized fuel belonged to Venezuela, not Iran.