St. John's 29°C Clear

Antigua News
Live
Caribbean

U.S. Sanctions Target Dominica’s CBI Program Linked to Iranian Oil Network

By

Published
Dominica to Lift Visa Restrictions for Dominican Republic Citizens, Skerrit Signals Broader Policy Shift
Dominica Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit (photo by natureislenews)

The United States has intensified its sanctions against Iran, focusing on a sprawling oil shipping network allegedly overseen by Mohammad Hossein Shamkhani, whose father is a high-ranking advisor to Iran’s Supreme Leader.

At the heart of these sanctions is a passport issued by Dominica, under the alias “Hugo Hayek.” U.S. authorities allege that Shamkhani utilized this document to evade international sanctions and facilitate his travels.

The U.S. Treasury Department has stated that the passport, obtained through Dominica’s Citizenship by Investment (CBI) program, allowed him to bypass scrutiny while executing oil-related transactions.

whatsapp-group-names-for-family-friends (1)

Announced on July 30, the sanctions encompass 115 designations across 17 different countries. They specifically target 52 vessels, 15 shipping companies, and 53 entities implicated in laundering billions of dollars from Iranian and Russian oil sales, primarily to buyers in China.

U.S. officials have cautioned that any entities engaging in trade with Iranian oil could face exclusion from the American financial system, heightening the stakes for companies involved in this sector.

The move underscores the U.S.’s ongoing efforts to combat international sanctions evasion and assert its influence in global energy markets.

This story was first published by Antigua News on August 1, 2025: antigua.news/2025/08/01/u-s-sanctions-target-dominicas-cbi-program-linked-to-iranian-oil-network. © 2025 Antigua News. Republication without permission is not allowed.

Step 1

Add Antigua.news to your Home Screen

✕ antigua.news ⋯ Open in Safari Copy link Share…

First, open this page in Safari

You are reading inside another app (Instagram, Facebook…). Tap ⋯ at the top right and choose Open in Safari (or Open in browser).

No such option? Copy the link, open Safari and paste it in the address bar.

⚙️ Settings General › Software Update

Update your iPhone first

Alerts need iOS 16.4 or newer. Open Settings → General → Software Update and install the update. You can still add the icon now: tap Next.

‹ antigua.news ⋯

Tap the ⋯ button

It is at the bottom right of Safari, next to the address bar. Don't see the bar? Scroll up a little.

Share Add Bookmark New Tab Find on Page

Tap Share

It is the first option of the menu, with a square-and-arrow icon.

antigua.news ‹ › ▢ ⧉

Tap the Share button

The square with an arrow pointing up, in the middle of the bar at the bottom (on iPad: at the top right).

antigua.news

Tap the Share button

The square with an arrow, at the right of the address bar at the top. (Firefox: tap ☰ at the bottom, then Share.)

Copy Add to Reading List Add to Home Screen

Tap Add to Home Screen

Scroll down the list to find it (icon: a square with a +). Not there? Tap Edit Actions or View More at the bottom.

Cancel Add to Home Screen Add Antigua.news Open as Web App

Keep Open as Web App on, then tap Add

The switch must be green — without it, alerts can't work. Then tap Add at the top right.

Cancel Add to Home Screen Add Antigua.news An icon will be added to your Home Screen so you can quickly access this website.

Tap Add

At the top right. If you see an Open as Web App switch, leave it on (green).

Antigua.news

Close the browser and open Antigua.news from its new icon

Go to your Home Screen: the Antigua.news icon is there now (swipe left if you don't see it). Alerts only work when you open us from this icon.

“Antigua.news” Would Like to Send You Notifications Notifications may include alerts, sounds and icon badges. Don’t Allow Allow

Tap 🔔 Turn on alerts, then Allow

In the app you will see a red box asking to turn on alerts: choose your sections, tap the button, then tap Allow. That's it — breaking news will reach you even with the phone locked.
Shermain Bique-Charles

About the author

Shermain Bique-Charles is an accomplished journalist with over 24 years of dynamic experience in the industry. Renowned for her exceptional storytelling and investigative skills, she has garnered numerous awards that highlight her commitment to journalistic integrity and excellence. Her work not only informs but also inspires, making her a respected voice in the field.

Read our editorial standards and corrections policy. Spotted an error? Contact the newsroom.

Comments (10)

  • Faithful National #1 August 1, 2025, 2:56 PM

    I reiterate, we should distance ourselves from any Caribbean leader who has immersed him/herself in any scheme to flood our relatively peaceful bit of paradise with so-called refugees from the Middle East!!! We already have too many of them already and don’t want any more!!!! In many respects, Dominica is nearer and dearer to me than even Barbuda. Our two Prime Minister are brothers (not biologically) Legal luminary Astaphan, not the baboon from St. Kitts,is a fully adopted native son. If Skerrit is losing his marbles, let him bite the dust in the public’s interest. Today is EMANCIPATION DAY, for God’s sake!!!!
    Reply

  • 🙄🙄🙄🙄 August 1, 2025, 4:04 PM

    I saw a comment where skerrit invited the refugees from Palestine to come to Dominica for saftey. Your countrymen can hardly buy food abd this is the nonesence you are speaking about in Parliament? You need two hard kick
    Reply

    • Anonymous August 1, 2025, 5:38 PM

      The man just needs to get out of the way so that the country can begin tracking a path towards recovery
      Reply

  • Informed citizen August 1, 2025, 6:12 PM

    The government needs to be upfront about the potential economic impact of these sanctions on the average Dominican citizen. We’ve seen in past reports that the economy is already fragile, and this could be a major blow.
    Reply

  • Sheesh August 1, 2025, 9:44 PM

    I heard a clip of Mr telling them Dominicans that they can go to hell is not their damn business where he gets his money. I will leave the rest for when leaders like that behind bars
    Reply

  • Juju Bee August 1, 2025, 10:42 PM

    And here we go again. Soon the sanctions will impact Dominicans directly
    Reply

  • LeBron James August 2, 2025, 2:21 PM

    Is it just me or anyone realize how devilish Skerrit look
    Reply

  • In His Hands August 2, 2025, 3:03 PM

    Wow! What a mess!
    If this man loves this island he needs to vanish out of the way so we can do everything to build back!
    Reply

  • Rhea August 3, 2025, 7:26 AM

    These oil laundering operations are massive. The use of CBI passports for geopolitical evasion is a major loophole.
    Reply

  • Milenda August 3, 2025, 7:30 AM

    If one bad actor got through Dominica’s system, how many more are out there with clean documents?
    Reply

Submit a comment

More from Caribbean

View section

By clicking "Accept", you consent to our website's use of cookies to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits.

Cookie Settings

Privacy Summary

This website uses cookies so that we can provide you with the best possible user experience. Cookie information is stored in your browser and performs functions such as recognising you when you return to our site or helping our team understand which parts of the site you find most interesting and useful.

More information in Privacy Policy