U.S. Imposes Sanctions on Fraudulent Ship Registries and Aviation Support for Iranian Regime

Today, the United States announced sanctions targeting a criminal network that sells counterfeit flags to the Iranian regime’s shadow fleet of vessels, as well as a Turkey‑based firm that provides ground services for sanctioned Iranian airlines. The Treasury Department’s actions are part of Operation Economic Outcast, a Trump‑era initiative aimed at cutting the regime’s revenue used to fund terrorism, weapons proliferation, and its regional proxies.

For over ten years, India‑based Suniel Kumar Sharma and his wife, Jaspreet Preeti Shahid, have created companies that masquerade as flag registries and maritime service providers for nations such as Guyana, Eswatini, Aruba, Mali, Mozambique, Malawi, Sint Maarten, and Timor‑Leste. These entities have issued fraudulent registrations and certificates for vessels transporting illicit Iranian oil, and many of the affected governments have publicly condemned the schemes.

The latest measures target 13 individuals and companies linked to the Sharma network. The United States praises the governments that uncovered these schemes and urges flag states, port authorities, and the broader maritime industry to verify vessel registrations and deny shadow‑fleet vessels access to their waters and ports.

Source link