Panama’s vessel registry withdrew its flag from 136 ships linked to Iran’s state oil company in the last four years, according to the country’s maritime authority.
As Reuters reports, Panama pushed back against claims by an anti-nuclear group accusing it of helping Iran export oil, mainly to China and Venezuela.
In fact, earlier this week, former Florida Governor Jeb Bush called on Washington to pressure Panama to stop “helping” Iran to evade sanctions. Bush is a member of United Against Nuclear Iran (UANI), which seeks to prevent Iran from becoming a nuclear-armed regional superpower.
The Panamanian registry canceled 136 ships in which their direct link with the National Iranian Oil Company (NIOC) was proven
Panama’s Maritime Authority (AMP) replied.
One-fifth of the 678 ships for which AMP withdrew flags for various reasons since 2019 were Iran-linked, according to an AMP spokesperson. “Panamanian authorities maintain a close relationship with the secretary of the Treasury and other authorities of the United States,” a spokesperson said.
AMP is also in the process of canceling the registration of tanker Glory Harvest, after a probe finished without having received the information required by authorities, it said.
This administration has complied fully with the obligations and procedures at all times and we have always started the investigation of the facts as soon as we received the information of alleged violations, respecting due process and constitutional guarantees
AMP stated.
