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

The US Department of Treasury has identified companies, individuals, and vessels that have played a central role in facilitating and financing the clandestine sale of Iranian unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) to Russia’s war in Ukraine. The main front company overseeing Iran’s commercial activities in support of these efforts is Sahara Thunder, with three India-based companies – Zen Shipping, Port India Private Limited, and Sea Art Ship Management (OPC) Private Limited – being sanctioned for supporting Sahara Thunder. The Iranian military entity Sahara Thunder 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, according to the Treasury.

Sahara Thunder has entered into time-charter contracts with India-based Zen Shipping and Port India Private Limited for the Cook Islands-flagged vessel CHEM (IMO 9240914), which is managed and operated by UAE-based Safe Seas Ship Management FZE. The Treasury also noted that Iran-based Arsang Safe Trading Co. has provided ship management services in support of several Sahara Thunder-related shipments, including those by the CHEM. The Treasury further mentioned that Iran-based Asia Marine Crown Agency has served as the port agent in Bandar Abbas, Iran, supporting several Sahara Thunder shipments.

Additionally, it highlighted that India-based Sea Art Ship Management (OPC) Private Limited and UAE-based company Trans Gulf Agency LLC have worked together to provide ship management services in support of Sahara Thunder, while the 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, stated that “Iran’s Ministry of Defence continues to destabilise the region and world with its support to Russia’s war in Ukraine, unprecedented attack on Israel, and proliferation of UAVs and other dangerous military hardware to terrorist proxies.”

He emphasized that the United States, in close coordination with British and Canadian partners, will continue to use all means available to combat those who would finance Iran’s destabilising activities.