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United States flags ecological risks from illegal transfers of Iranian oil off Malaysia, report states

A U.S. treasury official cautioned of environmental threats from illegal transfers of Iranian oil off Malaysia, news website Malaysiakini reported on Thursday, as the United States narrows its focus on financing for militant groups routed through Southeast Asia.

The United States sees Iran's capability to move its oil as being reliant on company based in Malaysia, a senior U.S. treasury authorities said this week.

The official likewise said the United States was attempting to prevent Malaysia from ending up being a jurisdiction where the Palestinian militant group Hamas could raise and move funds.

Brian Nelson, the U.S. Treasury undersecretary for Terrorism and Financial Intelligence, stated one of the primary methods Iran raised money was through the sale of illicit oil to purchasers in East Asia, Malaysiakini reported.

Many of these shipments traverse the waters around Malaysia and are loaded onto vessels of doubtful legitimacy that might Posture significant ecological and security threats, he was reported as stating.

Nelson revealed concern for any parties providing ship-to-ship transfers of illegal oil as such manoeuvres could cause accidents or oil spills that threatened Malaysia's. coasts.

The U.S. Treasury has actually also seen an uptick in attempts by. Iran and its proxies, consisting of Hamas, to move and raise money. in Southeast Asia, Nelson added.

He advised those who want to support humanitarian assistance. to Gaza to donate to reliable charities to make sure the funds. were not diverted somewhere else.

Nelson and Neil MacBride, Treasury General Counsel, are on a. check out to Singapore and Malaysia this week to advance efforts in. countering funding and income generation by Iran and its. proxies.

The office of Malaysia's prime minister did not right away. respond to an ask for comment.

But Home Minister Saifuddin Nasution Ismail said he conveyed. the country's position relating to sanctions to Nelson, during a. meeting on Thursday. Saifuddin stated Malaysia would adhere to. United Nations sanctions however would not identify unilaterally. used sanctions.

He informed reporters he also notified Nelson that Malaysia had. examined and done something about it against an organisation with. presumed links to Palestine. He did not name the organisation.

(source: Reuters)