Tuvalu warned by US 'for breaking Iran sanctions' Berman said he believes reflagging the tankers could be deemed as "sanctionable activity" under US rules, and asked Telavi to cancel the registry of all NITC vessels. "Given the close and co-operative relationship that our two governments now enjoy, it would be unfortunate if this action were permitted to stand," Berman said. Officials from the country's permanent mission to the United Nations were not immediately available for comment. Berman has worked with Democratic Senator Robert Menendez on legislation that would toughen U.S. sanctions against the NITC. The US Congress could finalise those new sanctions this month. Berman recently wrote to Tanzania's president about similar reports that the east African nation had reflagged Iranian tankers. Last week, Tanzania's foreign minister said he would investigate and would strip the vessels of the country's flag if reports were true. "If it is confirmed that the ships flying Tanzania's flag are indeed from Iran, we will take steps to deliberately obliterate the registration," Foreign Affairs Minister Bernard Membe told reporters.