The United States has sanctioned three Indian companies for facilitating illegal trade of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) transfer on behalf of the Iranian military.
Apart from these three Indian entities, more than a dozen companies, individuals and vessels have also been slapped with sanctions by the US.
Why US has sanctioned three Indian companies?
The US Department of Treasury of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) in a release said the three Indian companies, including others have “played a central role in facilitating and financing the clandestine sale of Iranian UAVs for Iran’s Ministry of Defence and Armed Forces Logistics (MODAFL), which itself is involved in supporting Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) and Russia’s war in Ukraine.”
Which three Indian companies have been sanctioned by US?
The three India-based companies sanctioned by the US are:
1 – Zen Shipping
2 – Port India Private Limited
3 – Sea Art Ship Management (OPC) Private Limited
As per the US Department of Treasury, Sahara Thunder is the main front company that oversees Iran’s commercial activities in support of these efforts.
“Sahara Thunder also plays a key role in Iran’s design, development, manufacture, and sale of thousands of UAVs, many of them ultimately transferred to Russia for use in its war of aggression against Ukraine,” the US Treasury Department said.
The Treasury department further said Iranian military entity Sahara Thunder relies on a vast shipping network involved in the sale and shipment of Iranian commodities on behalf of Iran’s MODAFL to multiple jurisdictions including the People’s Republic of China (PRC), Russia, and Venezuela.
How were these three Indian companies involved?
As per the US Treasury Department, Sahara Thunder has “entered into time-charter contracts” with Zen Shipping and Port India Private Limited for the Cook Islands-flagged vessel CHEM, which is managed and operated by UAE-based Safe Seas Ship Management FZE.
“Sahara Thunder has used the CHEM to conduct multiple shipments of commodities since 2022. Iran-based Arsang Safe Trading Co. has provided ship management services in support of several Sahara Thunder-related shipments, including those by the CHEM,” the release by the US Treasury Department said.
The department further alleged that Sea Art Ship Management (OPC) Private Limited and UAE-based company Trans Gulf Agency LLC have worked together to provide ship management services in support of Sahara Thunder. UAE and Iran-based Coral Trading EST. has purchased Iranian commodities from Sahara Thunder.
“Zen Shipping & Port India Private Limited,… Sea Art Ship Management (OPC) Private Limited are being designated pursuant to E.O. (Executive Order) 13224, as amended, for having materially assisted, sponsored, or provided financial, material, or technological support for, or goods or services to or in support of, Sahara Thunder,” the US said.
US vows to use all means to combat those financing Iran’s destabilising activities
“Iran’s Ministry of Defence continues to destabilise the region and world with its support to Russia’s war in Ukraine, unprecedented attack on Israel, and proliferation of UAVs and other dangerous military hardware to terrorist proxies,” Under Secretary of the Treasury for Terrorism and Financial Intelligence Brian E Nelson said.
“The United States, in close coordination with our British and Canadian partners, will continue to use all means available to combat those who would finance Iran’s destabilising activities,” Nelson added.
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Which 3 Indian companies have been sanctioned by US for trading with Iran
