Russia's ship classification society, the Russian Maritime Register of Shipping (RS), is suspending all its business activities related to Iran, the company told Platts Friday.
RS said the scale of its services in Iran was "historically insignificant" as it had only certified a small number of Iranian vessels.
"This number had been falling even further recently," RS said.
"This was also a reason for the halt of operations by our inspector in the port of Anzali [on the Caspian Sea]," RS said.
US pressure group United Against Nuclear Iran (UANI) earlier this week said RS had suspended its Iranian activities in response to pressure from the lobby group.
RS suspended "all shipping certification and related services to IRISL vessels (including the MT Tour) and offshore structures including oil rigs," according to a statement posted at the UANI website.
"The process of suspension will be completed as soon as practicable and possible," it said.
The move by the Russian ship classification group follows similar action by other International Association of Classification Societies members.
These include Bureau Veritas, Det Norske Veritas, Germanischer Lloyd, Lloyds Register and Class NK, which have all ceased marine-related activities in Iran, UANI said.
The latest decision comes as Iran faces pressure from EU and US sanctions aimed at depriving Tehran of the revenues with which to fund what the US and its allies suspect is a covert nuclear program.
According to the UANI, the only remaining IACS member class societies still active in Iran are the Korean Register and China Classification Society.
These could not be reached for immediate comment.
Ship classification societies are hired by shipowners to provide maritime services including examining hull structural integrity, checking propulsion systems and meeting international environmental and safety standards. Under international law it is required for all ships to be classed when loading or discharging at major ports.
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