US sanctions over dozen firms, 3 from India, for ties with Iran

The United States on Thursday imposed sanctions on three Indian companies, including some other companies from across the world, for facilitating “illicit trade” and “unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) transfer” on behalf of the Iranian military. The sanctions come amid heightened tensions between Washington and Tehran in the past few weeks.

US imposes sanctions on 3 Indian firms for ‘illicit trade’ with Iran(REUTERS)

The US Department of Treasury, in an official statement, said, “These companies, individuals and vessels have played a central role in facilitating and financing the clandestine sale of Iranian UAVs to Russia’s war in Ukraine.”

The US has imposed sanctions on three Indian companies - Zen Shipping, Port India Private Limited, and Sea Art Ship Management (OPC) Private Limited - for supporting ‘Sahara Thunder’, a company that relies on a vast shipping network involved in the sale and shipment of Iranian commodities on behalf of Iran’s Ministry of Defence and Armed Forces Logistics (MODAFL) to multiple jurisdictions including the People’s Republic of China (PRC), Russia, and Venezuela.