US sanctions Indian and Turkish firms accused of helping Iran move oil and fly aircraft
The United States has imposed sanctions on companies and individuals in India and Turkey that the Treasury says helped Iran evade restrictions on oil exports and airlines. Targets include a Chandigarh-based couple accused of issuing fake ship flags and a Turkish ground-handling firm that served sanctioned Iranian carriers.
The US Department of the Treasury said on Wednesday it had sanctioned what it called a vast criminal network run by Suniel Kumar Sharma and his wife, Jaspreet Preeti Shahid, based in Chandigarh, India, Reuters reported via Al Jazeera. Two other Indian nationals who head the couple's businesses and nine linked entities were also listed.
According to the Treasury, the couple falsely claimed to represent maritime authorities of countries including Guyana, Eswatini and Laos and issued fake flags and certifications that let sanctioned tankers carrying Iranian oil keep operating, including vessels working for the Iranian military and allied groups. The scheme dated back to at least 2014 and used websites built to look like official ship registries, the department said.
Washington also sanctioned Turkey-based Fugo Ground Services for providing ground handling to US-sanctioned Iranian airlines that still fly to Turkey, including Iran Air Tour and Saha Airlines. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said the US would keep pursuing anyone who supports Tehran. The measures freeze any US assets of those targeted and generally bar Americans from dealing with them, as part of the Trump administration's "Operation Economic Outcast".