WASHINGTON (JTA) — An Israeli company is among seven newly sanctioned by the United States for dealings with Iran.
Ofer Brothers Group is being sanctioned for its role in providing a tanker valued at $8.65 million to an Iranian shipping company.
The company "failed to exercise due diligence and did not heed publicly available and easily obtainable information that would have indicated that they were dealing with" Islamic Republic of Iran Shipping Lines, the State Department said Tuesday in releasing the names of seven companies it is adding to the list of those sanctioned for dealing with Iran’s energy sector.
The other companies are from Singapore, the United Arab Emirates, Monaco, Iran, Venezuela and Jersey, a British crown dependency in the English Channel.
Laura Rozen, a foreign policy columnist for Yahoo News, reported that the Singapore company, Tanker Pacific, is owned by one of the Ofer Brothers, Sami Ofer.
In a statement reported by Israel National News, the Ofer Brothers denied any involvement.
"We have never sold ships to Iran, and well-respected Israeli officials will certify this," they said.
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