US sanctions India maritime network and Türkiye firm

The U.S. Treasury announced sanctions on November 4 against an India-based maritime-services network and a Türkiye-based aviation-services company, accusing them of supporting Iran’s oil and aviation sectors. The measures name Suniel Kumar Sharma, his wife Jaspreet Preeti Shahid, two other Indian nationals, nine Indian-linked entities and Fugo Ground Services Inc. The allegations are based on Treasury’s account and are not independently established in the reporting. Treasury said Sharma and Shahid operated unauthorized ship-registration services that provided false flags and maritime certifications to vessels carrying Iranian petroleum. The department alleged that some of the ships served Iran’s military or affiliated groups, and that false documentation helped vessels evade restrictions. It said the couple’s activity dated back to at least 2014, including an attempt to impersonate Dominica’s maritime flagging authority. The two other Indian nationals named are Ashwani Kumar Dhiman and Ishwinder Singh, whom Treasury identified as associated with businesses run by the couple. The nine linked entities include Oceaniek Technologies India and Aryavart Ship Management Private...