WASHINGTON — The Treasury Department sanctioned four Indian nationals, nine related entities and a Turkish aviation services company Wednesday, alleging they supported Iran’s oil and aviation sectors.
The department said an India-based network led by Suniel Kumar Sharma and his spouse, Jaspreet Preeti Shahid, provided false ship registrations and certifications to sanctioned vessels carrying Iranian petroleum.
Treasury said those services helped vessels tied to Iran’s military and its proxies evade restrictions and continue operating. The allegations have not been independently verified.
How Treasury describes the network
According to the department, Sharma and Shahid created websites that posed as maritime flag registries for countries that had not authorized them. Treasury said the activity began as early as 2014 with an attempt to impersonate Dominica’s flagging authority.
The alleged registries later claimed to represent jurisdictions including Guyana, Eswatini, Laos, Aruba, Nicaragua and Sint Maarten. Treasury said sanctioned shadow-fleet vessels used some of those registries.
The Office of Foreign Assets Control designated Sharma, Shahid, Ashwani Kumar Dhiman and Ishwinder Singh. It also sanctioned Eswatini Maritime Affairs and International Ship Registry, Oceaniek Technologies India, Aryavart Ship Management and six other related entities.
The other entities were Precept Trends, Polynesia Maritime, Alexarya Finserv, Alexarya Media and Entertainment, Viharaboating, and Aryavart Maritime and Educational Trust.
Treasury separately sanctioned Türkiye-based Fugo Ground Services Inc., saying it provided ground-handling services to several U.S.-designated Iranian airlines.
“As we have said many times, under Operation Economic Outcast, you are either with us or against us,” Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said.
What the sanctions do
The designations block property and interests in property held in the United States or controlled by U.S. persons. Companies owned at least 50% by blocked people or entities are also blocked.
U.S. persons generally may not conduct transactions involving the designated parties unless OFAC authorizes them. Treasury said violations can bring civil or criminal penalties.
OFAC also issued an industry alert titled “Iranian Shadow Fleet Reliance on False Flags for Sanctions Evasion,” urging maritime businesses to screen vessels and counterparties for false registrations.
The Treasury release did not include responses from the designated people or companies. An active search found no immediate public response.
Treasury said the action was taken under Executive Order 13902, which targets Iran’s petroleum, petrochemical and aviation sectors.
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