China-based oil firm settles Iran sanctions violations, US says

WASHINGTON: China- based Yantai Jereh Oilfield Services Group Co Ltd has agreed to pay more than US$2.7 million to settle allegations it did business with Iran in violation of US sanctions, the US Treasury Department said.

The department cited the companyfor11‘apparent’instances of moving oilfield-related items such as spare parts, coiled tubing strings and pump sets, and called it ‘an egregious case’ since the Jereh Group did not voluntarily disclose the violations.

Representatives for the company could not be immediately reached for comment.

“The apparent violations

The apparent violations involved the exportation or reexportation, and attempted exportation or re-exportation of US-origin goods ultimately intended for end-users in Iran by way of China. US Treasury Department

involved the exportation or re- exportation, and attempted exportation or re- exportation of US- origin goods ultimately intended for end-users in Iran by way of China,” it said in a notice on its website.

“The Jereh Group also exported certain US- origin items with knowledge or reason to know that the items were intended for production of, for commingling with, or for incorporation into goods made in China to be supplied, transhipped, or re-exported to endusers in Iran,” the department added.

Washington has imposed sanctions on Iran over its nuclear and ballistic missiles programs as well as for its alleged human rights abuses. — Reuters