Articles | OFAC Designates Two in Iran Evasion Case
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OFAC Designates Two in Iran Evasion Case

Overview

On July 30, 2025, the U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) took action under Executive Order 13902, targeting individuals involved in facilitating sanctions-evasion schemes tied to Iran’s oil and dual-use goods trade. The action includes the designation of Elisabetta Cadeddu, an Italian national, and Yves Leon Agnes Demasure, a Belgian national based in the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

In conjunction with these designations, OFAC issued Iran-Related General License R, permitting limited transactions related to the offloading and securing of blocked cargo, in order to address maritime safety and compliance concerns.

Designated Individuals and Alleged Activities

  • Elisabetta Cadeddu (Nationality: Italy)
    According to OFAC, Cadeddu played a central role in organizing financial and shipping operations that facilitated the export of Iranian petroleum products through complex networks of front companies and deceptive practices. Her involvement allowed sanctioned Iranian entities to access global markets in defiance of U.S. restrictions.
  • Yves Leon Agnes Demasure (Nationality: Belgium; operating in UAE)
    Demasure has been identified as a key actor in the procurement and transfer of dual-use goods—items with both civilian and military applications—into Iran. Operating primarily from the UAE, Demasure allegedly enabled the shipment of sensitive components, potentially bolstering Iran’s strategic industries.

These individuals were designated under Executive Order 13902, which authorizes sanctions against those operating in Iran’s petroleum, petrochemical, or industrial sectors, as well as those facilitating such activities.

 

OFAC General License R: Ensuring Maritime Safety

Issued alongside the sanctions, General License R authorizes limited transactions necessary to secure and offload blocked cargo that may be affected by these designations. Specifically, this includes:

  • Ensuring the safe docking, maintenance, or offloading of vessels transporting blocked goods.
  • Preventing environmental and safety hazards in ports and on international waters.

This license does not permit commercial transactions or payments to or from the designated individuals or entities. Its scope is strictly confined to operations required for maritime security and crew safety.

 

Broader Context and Industry Implications

The July 2025 actions align with broader U.S. efforts to target third-country facilitators enabling Iranian sanctions evasion. The United Arab Emirates, frequently identified as a transit and logistics hub, has been central to OFAC investigations into illicit trade routes.

The measures also reinforce U.S. scrutiny over the global trade in dual-use goods, particularly as it relates to non-proliferation policy and the enforcement of export controls.

Industries most affected include:

  • Maritime and shipping firms, especially those handling crude oil or petroleum products.
  • European logistics providers, particularly those operating from or through the Gulf.
  • Exporters of high-technology or dual-use goods, now facing increased due diligence requirements.

 

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