US Imposes Sanctions on Over a Dozen Companies, Including 3 from India, for Trade with Iran

The US Department of Treasury has identified companies, individuals, and vessels that have been involved in facilitating and financing the covert sale of Iranian unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) to support Russia’s war in Ukraine. One of the key entities facilitating these activities is Sahara Thunder, a front company overseeing Iran’s commercial operations. The Treasury has imposed sanctions on three India-based companies – Zen Shipping, Port India Private Limited, and Sea Art Ship Management (OPC) Private Limited – for their support of Sahara Thunder. Sahara Thunder, a military entity in Iran, relies on a shipping network to sell and transport Iranian commodities on behalf of Iran’s Ministry of Defence and Armed Forces Logistics (MODAFL) to various jurisdictions, including the People’s Republic of China, Russia, and Venezuela.

The Treasury revealed that Sahara Thunder entered into time-charter contracts with India-based Zen Shipping and Port India Private Limited for the vessel CHEM, which is managed and operated by UAE-based Safe Seas Ship Management FZE. The CHEM has been used for multiple commodity shipments since 2022, with ship management services provided by Iran-based Arsang Safe Trading Co.

Additionally, the Treasury stated that Iran-based Asia Marine Crown Agency served as the port agent in Bandar Abbas, Iran, supporting several Sahara Thunder shipments. The collaboration of India-based Sea Art Ship Management (OPC) Private Limited and UAE-based company Trans Gulf Agency LLC has provided ship management services to support Sahara Thunder, while UAE and Iran-based Coral Trading EST. have purchased Iranian commodities from Sahara Thunder.

Under Secretary of the Treasury for Terrorism and Financial Intelligence Brian E. Nelson emphasized the destabilizing activities of Iran’s Ministry of Defence and its support for Russia’s war in Ukraine, the attack on Israel, and the proliferation of UAVs and military hardware to terrorist proxies. He highlighted the commitment of the United States, in coordination with British and Canadian partners, to combat those who finance Iran’s destabilizing activities.