US targets Indian network and Turkish firm over alleged Iran sanctions evasion

The United States has sanctioned individuals and companies in India and Turkiye over allegations that they helped Iran circumvent restrictions affecting its oil exports and airlines. Announced on Wednesday, the measures target an alleged ship registration network in India and a ground services provider in Turkiye.

The US Department of the Treasury identified Suniel Kumar Sharma and his wife, Jaspreet Preeti Shahid, as the operators of the Indian network. The couple are based in Chandigarh in northern India. Two other Indian nationals who lead their businesses were also sanctioned, along with nine entities connected to Sharma.

According to the Treasury, Sharma and Shahid misrepresented themselves as acting on behalf of maritime authorities in countries including Guyana, Eswatini and Laos. The department accused them of supplying fraudulent flags and certifications that enabled sanctioned tankers transporting Iranian oil to remain in operation.

The Treasury said those vessels included tankers working for Iran’s military and groups allied with it. It traced the alleged scheme back to at least 2014, saying the operation used websites designed to look like official national ship registries. Those sites formed part of the system behind the false registration arrangements, according to the department.

In Turkiye, the measures targeted Fugo Ground Services. The Treasury accused the company of supplying ground handling and other services to several Iranian airlines already under US sanctions. It named Iran Air Tour and Saha Airlines among the carriers, which continue to operate flights to Turkiye.

Alongside the sanctions announcement, the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control warned shipping companies that dealing with vessels using false flags could expose them to sanctions risks. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said the United States would keep pursuing those who support Tehran.

The sanctions block any assets the designated individuals and companies hold in the United States. They also generally prohibit Americans from conducting business with those targeted.

The action falls under the Trump administration’s Operation Economic Outcast, a campaign intended to deny Iran oil income used to finance its war effort. Last week, the Treasury said the campaign had sent the Iranian rial to new lows and pushed inflation to approximately 90 percent.

Wednesday’s announcement came one day after Democrats secured control of both chambers of Congress in the US midterm elections.