US sanctions networks in India and Turkey over support for Iran

The United States government has imposed a new round of sanctions on several entities and people in India and Turkey over their alleged assistance to Iran.

The measures, announced by the US Department of the Treasury on Wednesday, form part of a broader campaign called Operation Economic Outcast. The initiative is designed to choke off Iranian petroleum revenues that Washington says help finance Tehran's military conflict involving the US and Israel.

According to the Treasury, the actions focus primarily on an operation run from Chandigarh, India, by Suniel Kumar Sharma and his spouse, Jaspreet Preeti Shahid. Two other Indian nationals who manage enterprises for the pair, along with nine affiliated organizations, were also designated.

US officials stated that the network set up fake maritime registries and purchased internet domains to falsely represent nations such as Guyana, Laos, and Eswatini. These fraudulent registries provided bogus safety papers, crew certifications, and national flags to vessels moving Iranian oil, including ships tied to the Iranian armed forces and allied groups. Authorities warned that using counterfeit flags allows ships to bypass international environmental rules and operate without indemnity insurance, threatening coastal states with major financial exposure in the event of accidents.

In Turkey, the Treasury penalized Fugo Ground Services Inc, accusing the company of maintaining operations that support Iran's aviation sector. The agency noted that the Turkish firm provided ground services to several sanctioned carriers flying into Turkey, among them Iran Air Tour, Ata Airlines, Saha Airlines, and Taban Airlines.

Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent warned that the administration intends to pursue entities aiding Tehran across land, sea, and air routes. Alongside the designations, the Office of Foreign Assets Control circulated a guidance alert cautioning maritime businesses against transacting with ships that carry questionable registrations.

The sanctions arrived shortly after US midterm elections in which Democrats secured majorities in both legislative chambers, driven in part by public dissatisfaction with inflation and the ongoing conflict. While acknowledging that public frustration over rising fuel costs tied to the war contributed to electoral setbacks, US President Donald Trump defended the military campaign as necessary.

The US had previously renewed a blockade on Iranian maritime ports in mid-July after the collapse of an understanding intended to halt hostilities. Treasury officials reported that their accumulated financial restrictions have severely weakened the Iranian rial and contributed to domestic inflation reaching roughly 90 percent inside Iran.