US sanctions Indian and Turkish firms accused of helping Iran

The United States has imposed sanctions on companies and individuals in India and Turkiye that it accuses of helping Iran get around restrictions on its oil exports and its airlines. The US Department of the Treasury said on Wednesday that the measures target a “vast criminal network” run by Suniel Kumar Sharma and his wife, Jaspreet Preeti Shahid, who are based in the northern Indian city of Chandigarh.

According to the Treasury, the couple falsely claimed to represent the maritime authorities of countries including Guyana, Eswatini and Laos. It said they issued fake flags and certifications that allowed sanctioned tankers carrying Iranian oil to continue operating, including vessels working for the Iranian military and its allied groups.

The department said the scheme dated back to at least 2014 and relied on websites built to resemble official national ship registries. The Treasury also sanctioned Turkiye-based Fugo Ground Services.