The United States has imposed sanctions on an India-based couple and several companies associated with them for allegedly helping Iran evade international oil trade restrictions through fraudulent maritime registrations and certifications.
US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent announced the action on Wednesday, warning that individuals and businesses supporting Tehran would face consequences.
“As we have said many times, under Operation Economic Outcast, you are either with us or against us. We know where you are, and we will sanction those who continue supporting the Iranian regime, whether by land, sea, or air,” Bessent said in a post on X.
The US Treasury identified the couple as Chandigarh-based Suniel Kumar Sharma and his wife, Jaspreet Preeti Shahid. It alleged that they operated a network providing false flags and fraudulent maritime certifications to vessels transporting Iranian petroleum, including ships working on behalf of Iran’s military and its proxies.
According to the department, the couple established fraudulent maritime registries and classification societies through websites that falsely claimed to provide services on behalf of countries that had not authorised them.
Their activities allegedly date back to at least 2014, when they attempted to impersonate the maritime flagging authority of the Caribbean nation of Dominica.
The sanctions also cover two other Indian nationals, Ashwani Kumar Dhiman and Ishwinder Singh, who allegedly headed businesses connected to the couple, along with nine associated entities.
These include Oceaniek Technologies India, Aryavart Ship Management Private Limited, Precept Trends Private Limited, Polynesia Maritime Private Limited, Alexarya Finserv Private Limited, Alexarya Media and Entertainment Private Limited, Viharaboating Private Limited and Aryavart Maritime and Educational Trust.
The sanctions are part of US President Donald Trump's Operation Economic Outcast, which aims to disrupt Iran's oil revenues and target networks involved in sanctions evasion.
Separately, Washington also sanctioned Turkey-based Fugo Ground Services Inc, accusing it of providing ground-handling and other services to several US-designated Iranian airlines.
Under the measures, the property and financial interests of the designated individuals and entities falling under US jurisdiction will be blocked. US citizens and businesses are generally prohibited from conducting transactions with them unless authorised by the Treasury.
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