US sanctions Indian and Turkish firms for aiding Iran’s oil sanctions evasion
The US Treasury sanctioned an Indian couple and a Turkish ground‑services firm for creating fake ship registries and providing support that helped Iranian tankers and airlines evade sanctions.
At a glance
- The US Treasury sanctioned Indian couple Suniel Kumar Sharma and Jaspreet Preeti Shahid for falsifying ship registries of Guyana, Eswatini and Laos to help Iranian tankers evade sanctions.
- Turkiye‑based Fugo Ground Services was also sanctioned for providing handling services to US‑sanctioned Iranian airlines such as Iran Air Tour and Saha Airlines.
- The sanctions are part of the Trump administration’s “Operation Economic Outcast” aimed at cutting Iran’s oil revenue, which has driven the rial to new lows and inflation to about 90%.
The United States imposed sanctions on companies and individuals in India and Turkiye on Wednesday, targeting a “vast criminal network” that helped Iran circumvent oil export restrictions and airline sanctions. The Treasury said the measures focus on Suniel Kumar Sharma and his wife, Jaspreet Preeti Shahid, who are based in Chandigarh, India. Two other Indian nationals who run the couple’s businesses and nine entities linked to Sharma were also hit.
According to the Treasury, the couple falsely claimed to represent maritime authorities of Guyana, Eswatini and Laos. They built websites mimicking official ship registries and issued fake flags and certifications that allowed sanctioned Iranian tankers— including vessels used by the Iranian military and its allies—to continue operating. The scheme dates back to at least 2014.
In Turkiye, the Treasury sanctioned Fugo Ground Services for providing ground handling and other services to several US‑sanctioned Iranian airlines that still fly to Turkiye, such as Iran Air Tour and Saha Airlines. The Office of Foreign Assets Control also warned shipping firms about the risks of dealing with vessels sailing under false flags.
Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said Washington will keep pursuing anyone who supports Tehran. The sanctions freeze any US assets held by the targets and bar Americans from doing business with them. The actions are part of the Trump administration’s “Operation Economic Outcast,” intended to cut off oil revenue that funds Iran’s war effort. The Treasury reported last week that the campaign has pushed Iran’s currency, the rial, to new lows and driven inflation to about 90 percent.
The sanctions were announced a day after Democrats won control of both houses of Congress in the US midterm elections.
Source: Al Jazeera.
Questions and answers
- What did the US Treasury accuse the Indian couple of doing?
- They falsified ship registries for countries including Guyana, Eswatini and Laos and issued fake flags to help Iranian tankers evade sanctions.
- Which Turkish company was sanctioned and why?
- Fugo Ground Services was sanctioned for providing ground handling services to US‑sanctioned Iranian airlines flying to Turkiye.
- What is the broader goal of these sanctions?
- They are part of the Trump administration’s “Operation Economic Outcast” to cut Iran’s oil revenue, which has weakened the rial and driven inflation to about 90%.
