US sanctions Indian couple, firms over alleged links to Iran's oil trade
The US Treasury Department accused an India-based network of helping Iran's shadow fleet evade sanctions through fraudulent vessel registrations
Several India-based companies and individuals, along with a Turkish aviation services firm, have been named in a fresh round of US sanctions over alleged dealings with Iran's oil trade. The firm is accused of working with Iranian airlines under US restrictions. The US Treasury Department announced the designations under the Trump administration's campaign against Tehran.
Indian couple accused of running fraudulent flag registries
The sanctions fall under “Operation Economic Outcast”, which seeks to cut off Iran's oil revenue used to finance its war with the US and Israel. The announcement came a day after Democrats won control of both houses of Congress in the midterm elections.
Among the Indian nationals named are Suniel Kumar Sharma, his wife Jaspreet Preeti Shahid and two other citizens who head businesses run by the couple. Nine entities linked to Sharma were also designated. The Treasury Department accused the network of using maritime fraud to help Iran's shadow fleet.
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“Their schemes have provided false flags and certifications to sanctioned vessels involved in transporting Iranian petroleum, including vessels operating on behalf of the Iranian military and its proxies,” the department said.
Sharma and Shahid, who are based in Chandigarh, allegedly claimed to represent Guyana, Eswatini and Laos while issuing flags and certifications to vessels. Their network set up websites offering flag registration, seafarer training, certification and vessel classification. The couple also ran India-based firms accused of creating fraudulent flag registries. Those firms were included in the sanctions list, reported NDTV.
Turkish firm accused of serving sanctioned airlines
The US Treasury Department also designated Fugo Ground Services Inc., a Turkey-based company. It accused the firm of providing ground handling and other services to Iranian airlines under US sanctions. These included Iran Air Tour, Saha Airlines, Taban Airlines and Ata Airlines, which continued to operate flights to Turkey.
Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said Washington would take action against those aiding Tehran.
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“As we have said many times, under Operation Economic Outcast, you are either with us or against us,” he said in a post on X.
The latest designations follow the US blockade of Iranian ports, re-imposed on July 14 after talks between Tehran and Washington to end the war broke down. Trump has acknowledged that the conflict and rising petrol prices contributed to the election losses. He has also said the war was worth it.