Dominica has deactivated the passport of Iranian national Mohammed Hossein Shamkhani following sweeping U.S. sanctions targeting a global oil smuggling network allegedly linked to him.

Shamkhani, reportedly operating under the alias “Hugo Hayek,” is accused by U.S. authorities of using a Dominican passport—obtained through the country’s Citizenship by Investment programme—to evade sanctions and facilitate oil-related travel and transactions.

The U.S. Treasury announced the sanctions on July 30, targeting 115 individuals and entities across 17 countries, including 52 vessels and 15 shipping companies allegedly involved in laundering proceeds from Iranian and Russian oil sales, primarily to China.

Dominican authorities confirmed they are revoking Shamkhani’s passport. U.S. officials have expressed appreciation for the country’s swift action, warning that firms engaging in sanctioned oil trade risk exclusion from the American financial system.