Iranian Jet Fuel Arrives in Myanmar Amid Sanctions Evasion Tactics

Despite ongoing U.S. sanctions and a naval blockade, Myanmar has reportedly received shipments of Iranian jet fuel and liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) since mid-2024. This information comes from various maritime security analyses and investigations by organizations such as Amnesty International.

Shipping intelligence indicates that at least eight gas tankers carrying Iranian LPG have left the Gulf of Oman since July 2024, with some reaching Myanmar. A shipment of jet fuel arrived in September 2024, according to satellite imagery and maritime intelligence from SynMax. Both types of cargo are critical for Myanmar's military operations, which have been linked to numerous airstrikes against civilians, resulting in significant casualties, as reported by the United Nations.

The U.S. imposed targeted sanctions on Myanmar's jet-fuel industry in 2023, citing military airstrikes that have killed thousands of civilians. However, the Myanmar military has denied targeting civilians, claiming its operations are aimed at armed groups. Amnesty International's investigation highlights that the junta has increasingly adopted tactics to evade sanctions, similar to those used by countries like Iran and North Korea, including the use of 'ghost ships' that turn off their location-tracking systems to avoid detection.

“Their analysis shows that five years after the coup, the Myanmar junta continues to evade sanctions and find new ways to import the jet fuel it uses in airstrikes against civilians.”Montse Ferrer, Regional Research Director, Amnesty International

Montse Ferrer, Amnesty International's Regional Research Director, said their analysis shows that five years after the coup, the Myanmar junta continues to evade sanctions and find new ways to import the jet fuel it uses in airstrikes against civilians. The organization has tracked at least nine separate shipments of aviation fuel to Myanmar from four vessels between mid-2024 and the end of 2025.

In light of these developments, analysts are raising alarms about the implications of such shipments for the ongoing conflict in Myanmar. The U.S. military's Central Command has maintained that its blockade is 'ironclad', yet reports indicate that some vessels have managed to pass through, raising questions about the effectiveness of current sanctions and monitoring efforts. A U.S. Treasury spokesperson noted that shipping data suggesting vessels had evaded the blockade should be viewed with skepticism, as vessels can spoof their locations.

Moreover, the situation has been exacerbated by regional dynamics. Following the military coup in Myanmar in 2021, neighboring Thailand suspended fuel shipments to Myanmar from February 2025, further complicating the supply chain. However, reports suggest that Myanmar continues to source fuel through alternative routes, including from Laos, as local demand remains high.