On Wednesday, the United States imposed sanctions on an Indian businessman based in Chandigarh, his wife, and Indian companies, accused of helping Iran bypass international restrictions on oil trade through a network involved in maritime fraud. The U.S. Department of the Treasury identified Suniel Kumar Sharma and his wife, Jaspreet Preeti Shahid, as the main operators of a 'vast criminal network' that provided false flags and fraudulent maritime certificates to vessels transporting Iranian oil. [1] [2]
This network was accused of allowing sanctioned ships, including those operating on behalf of Iranian armed forces and their proxies, to maintain operations. The sanctions were announced under 'Operation Economic Outcast,' a Trump administration initiative aimed at blocking Iran's ability to generate revenue from oil exports and other economic activities. In addition to the couple, the department also sanctioned Indian nationals Ashwani Kumar Dhiman and Ishwinder Singh, described as directors of businesses associated with the network, as well as nine entities based in India. [1] [2]
According to the Department of the Treasury, the couple's operations began as early as 2014, when they attempted to pose as the maritime flag registry authority of the Caribbean state of Dominica. Meanwhile, in 2023, Sharma established the Singapore-based Eswatini Maritime Affairs and International Ship Registry PTE Ltd. Although authorities in Eswatini publicly disavowed these claims, the organization continued, according to U.S. sources, to provide vessel registration services for ships carrying Iranian oil, including the sanctioned vessel PING SHUN (IMO 9231901). [1] [2]
The network was accused of creating websites that falsely claimed to provide ship registration, classification, crew training, and flagging services for various countries without authorization. These sites purported to represent maritime authorities of territorial jurisdictions such as Aruba, Guyana, Mali, Mozambique, Malawi, Sint Maarten, and Timor-Leste. The targeted Indian entities include Oceaniek Technologies India, Aryavart Ship Management, Precept Trends, Polynesia Maritime, Alexarya Finserv, Alexarya Media and Entertainment, Viharaboating, and Aryavart Maritime and Educational Trust. [1] [2]
U.S. Secretary of the Treasury Scott Bessent reiterated Washington's warning that individuals and organizations supporting the Iranian regime will be subject to sanctions. 'We know where you are, and we will sanction those who continue to support the Iranian regime, whether by land, sea, or air. As we have said many times, within Operation Economic Outcast, you are either with us or against us,' Bessent said in a post on the X platform. [1] [2]
In addition to sanctions on the Indian network, the United States imposed sanctions on Wednesday on the Turkish company Fugo Ground Services Inc., accused of continuing to support the heavily sanctioned Iranian aviation sector. The company allegedly provided ground handling and other services to sanctioned Iranian airlines, including Iran Air Tour, Saha Airlines, Taban Airlines, and Ata Airlines, which continued to operate flights to Turkey. [1] [2]
- Categories:
- International Relations
- Entities:
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- Singapore
- China
- India
- Scott Bessent
- Turkey
- Chandigarh
- Eswatini
- Dominica
- Operation Economic Outcast
- Iran Air Tour
- Taban Airlines
- US Treasury Department
- Suniel Kumar Sharma
- Jaspreet Preeti Shahid
- Eswatini Maritime Affairs And International Ship Registry PTE. Ltd.
- Fugo Ground Services Inc
- Saha Airlines
- Ata Airlines
- Ashwani Kumar Dhiman
- Ishwinder Singh
- Oceaniek Technologies India
- Aryavart Ship Management
- Precept Trends
- Polynesia Maritime
- Alexarya Finserv
- Alexarya Media And Entertainment
- Viharaboating
- Aryavart Maritime And Educational Trust
