The United States (USA) has imposed a ban on over a dozen companies, individuals, and vessels on Thursday, for allegedly facilitating illicit trade and unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) transfers on behalf of the Iranian military. The list of sanctioned entities includes three Indian companies. According to the US Treasury Department, these companies, individuals, and vessels have played a central role in making the secret sales of Iranian UAVs convenient and in financing them for the Russian war in Ukraine.
Which Indian companies have been banned?
Sahara Thunder is identified as the prime leading company overseeing Iran's commercial activities in support of these efforts. The three India-based companies banned for their support to Sahara Thunder are, Zen Shipping, Port India Private Limited, and Sea Art Ship Management (OPC) Private Limited.
According to the Treasury, Sahara Thunder operated a vast shipping network on behalf of Iran's Ministry of Defense and Armed Forces Logistics (MODAFL), involved in sales and shipments of Iranian goods in the People's Republic of China (PRC) and several jurisdictions. Additionally, Sahara Thunder had time-charter contracts with India's Zen Shipping and Port India Private Limited for the ship CHEM (IMO 9240914), which is managed and operated by Safe Seas Ship Management FZE based in the United Arab Emirates.
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How did the banned companies operate?
The Treasury stated that Sahara Thunder used CHEM for several goods shipments since 2022. Arsanj Safe Trading Company based in Iran provided ship management services in support of several Sahara Thunder-related shipments including CHEM. Iran's Asia Marine Crown Agency supported many Sahara Thunder shipments, acting as a port agent in Bandar Abbas, Iran. India's Sea Art Ship Management (OPC) Private Limited worked jointly with UAE-based Trans Gulf Agency LLC to provide ship management services in support of Sahara Thunder. UAE and Iran's Coral Trading EST purchased Iranian goods from Sahara Thunder.
Under Secretary for Terrorism and Financial Intelligence, Brian E. Nelson, pointed out that Iran's Ministry of Defense continues to destabilize the region and the world by supporting the war in Ukraine, attacks on Israel, and the spread of UAVs and other dangerous military hardware to terrorists. He affirmed that the United States, in close coordination with its British and Canadian partners, will continue using all available means to deal with those providing financial support to Iran.
