In a statement, the Justice Department announced that on Friday, United States?filed civil forfeiture cases for more than $15.3?million. This money was allegedly used to fund an illegal Iranian oil distribution system.

The 'Justice Department' has filed complaints alleging that Mohammad Hossein Shamkhani used the funds to "operate multiple distributor companies" in order to?sell and ship Iranian oil and other commodities, in violation of U.S. sanction.

Hossein Shamkhani was described as the son of Ali Shamkhani. Ali Shamkhani had been a senior adviser to the former Supreme Leader?of Iran, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. Ali Shamkhani and Ali 'Khamenei both died in last week's U.S.-Israeli air strikes on?Iran. (Reporting and editing by Michelle Nichols, Bhargav Aharya and Chris Prentice)

(source: Reuters)