Reports: Myanmar used disguised imports to acquire US-sanctioned Iranian jet fuel

What happened

Reuters reports that in December 2025, a tanker named Reef, sanctioned by the US and carrying approximately 113,000 barrels of Iranian jet fuel, was delivered to Myanmar under the guise of a shipment of South African diesel. The shipment was ordered by Dynamic Wave, an energy broker based in Myanmar, under a contract falsely presented as a diesel sale with Thailand's Tawan-Oil Trading. Data from the United Nations and the energy analytics firm Vortexa show no corresponding diesel trade between South Africa and Myanmar that year. Satellite tracking and industry analysis confirm the fuel originated in Iran.

Outside Brief is treating this as a source-led account. Any disputed responsibility, casualty figure, battlefield claim or single-source assertion should be treated as unconfirmed/hearsay unless confirmed by another reliable source or a named official. The disguised transaction was reportedly facilitated by Myanmar’s military junta, which influenced the foreign exchange regulator to issue import documentation mislabeling the fuel as diesel. This documentation also authorized payments for the shipment. The supplier, Dynamic Wave’s client National Energy Prime Aviation Services Company, is partially owned by the regime. Neither company, the regime spokesperson, nor Iranian officials responded to requests for comment. These findings derive in part from material obtained and shared by the activist group Justice for Myanmar.

The US imposed targeted sanctions on Myanmar’s jet fuel imports in 2023, aiming to limit the military’s capability to conduct airstrikes that have resulted in civilian deaths, as noted by the United Nations. Despite the sanctions, Tehran has remained Myanmar’s primary jet fuel supplier from late 2024 through 2025. The tanker Reef, later renamed Maris, and the tanker Noble have been central to these shipments, as uncovered in earlier investigations.

Known from the source

• A ship named Reef delivered approximately 113,000 barrels of jet fuel to Myanmar in December 2025.
• The shipment was disguised as diesel under a sales contract with Thailand’s Tawan-Oil Trading.
• No diesel trade between South Africa and Myanmar occurred in 2025 according to UN and Vortexa data.
• Myanmar’s military junta influenced the foreign exchange regulator to mislabel the import paperwork.
• The client receiving the fuel is partly regime-owned.

What remains unclear

The deception illustrates both the strength and limitations of US sanctions. While the efforts to conceal the transactions suggest sanctions are impacting normal trade channels, the continued flow of Iranian jet fuel sustains Myanmar’s military aviation operations. The US Treasury did not comment on the fuel shipments or the evasion tactics. Separately, Myanmar’s foreign ministry denies targeting civilians despite mounting UN reports of aerial bombing casualties.

What remains unclear: Confirm whether the central claim is corroborated; until then treat it as unconfirmed/hearsay. Verify origin and authenticity of contractual and regulatory documents mentioned. Confirm Dynamic Wave’s and National Energy Prime Aviation Services Company’s ownership and connections. Confirm current status of US sanctions enforcement and any official statements.

Evidence note

Outside Brief has kept this brief source-led and attributed. Claims should be read alongside the original source linked below.

Original source: DVB English. Open the source.