Licence Holders are informed that on 12 July 2012, the United States of America has imposed additional sanctions against the Government of Iran and its proliferation networks under U.S. Executive Order (E.O.) No. 13382, “Blocking Property of Weapons of Mass Destruction Proliferators and Their Supporters.” These sanctions target entities associated with Iran’s petroleum, procurement and shipping network, including the National Iranian Tanker Company (NITC). The entities also include four front companies for the Naftiran Intertrade Company (NICO) or the National Iranian Oil Company (NIOC) -- Petro Suisse Intertrade Company SA; Hong Kong Intertrade Company; Noor Energy (Malaysia) Ltd.; and Petro Energy Intertrade Company.

Further information may be obtained from the US Department of the Treasury and by reference to the MFSA website at International Sanctions/US Sanctions.

It should be noted that unlike the United Nations and European Union sanctions, the provisions of OFAC designations, and other US sanctions are not directly binding on Maltese institutions. Nevertheless, licence holders are strongly encouraged to be aware of these measures and take these provisions into consideration during the conduct of their business activities.

MFSA Ref: 45-2012