The United States has activated the sanctions it had prepared against Islamic Republic of Iran Shipping Lines (IRISL) for allegedly carrying cargoes of weapons of mass destruction (WMD), Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said in a statement on Monday.
"Today, sanctions against the IRISL and its Shanghai-based subsidiary, E-Sail Shipping Company Ltd (E-Sail) have come into effect," Pompeo said. "Six months ago, I announced that the United States would take action against these entities pursuant to Executive Order 13382, which targets WMD proliferators and their supporters."
Imposition of the sanctions was delayed for 180 days in order to allow exporters of humanitarian