THE Chief Minister has confirmed that two officers from the United States Foreign Assets Control  (OFAC) have visited the Isle of Man recently to ensure that trade sanctions imposed against Iranian shipping lines are being applied.

The officers from OFAC met officials from various government bodies, including Customs and Excise, Ship Registry, the Attorney General and the Financial Supervision Commission. A presentation of the activities of the OFAC was also given to government officials and politicians.

The OFAC is a US government Treasury agency tasked with supervising trades sanctions measures which were imposed early last year regarding the Islamic Republic of Iran’s Shipping Lines (IRISL). Mr Brown said that the sanctions against the Iranian “top priority” for officials. 

The Chief Minister said he was “pleased” with the way the visit went but had some reservations. “We were disappointed that the United States took the actions it did and felt the US authorities had not been fully briefed on the Isle of Man’s involvement.”

He said that he felt the sanctions had been imposed when the US authorities had not fully understood the Isle of Man’s position.

Mr Brown added, “As far as sanctions are concerned we are happy that we were fully compliant.”