The United States has slapped sanctions on over a dozen companies, individuals and vessels -- including three from India -- for facilitating illicit trade and transfer of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) on behalf of the Iranian military.
The sanction s were imposed on Thursday, April 25, the US Department of the Treasury said in a statement.As per the US Department, they have played a central role in facilitating and financing the clandestine sale of Iranian UAVs for “Iran’s Ministry of Defence and Armed Forces Logistics (MODAFL), which itself is involved in supporting Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) and Russia’s war in Ukraine,” it said.It has identified Sahara Thunder as the main front company that oversees the Middle East nation's commercial activities in support of these efforts.Among the three India-based companies that supported Sahara Thunder and now face US sanctions are Zen Shipping, Port India Private Limited, and Sea Art Ship Management (OPC) Private Limited, PTI reported.Sahara Thunder, an Iranian military entity, relies on a vast shipping network involved in the sale and shipment of Iranian commodities on behalf of MODAFL to multiple jurisdictions, including the People’s Republic of China (PRC), Russia, and Venezuela, the statement said.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 has been operated and managed by the UAE-based Safe Seas Ship Management FZE.Since 2022, it has used CHEM to conduct multiple shipments of commodities.
“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 said.Further, it claimed that Iran-based Asia Marine Crown Agency has served as the port agent in Iran's Bandar Abbas supporting several shipments of Sahara Thunder.“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,” it said, adding that the UAE and Iran-based Coral Trading EST.
purchased Iranian commodities from the Sahara Thunder.“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,” Under Secretary of the Treasury for Terrorism and Financial Intelligence Brian E. Nelson said.The official added that the US, with close coordination with British and Canadian partners, will continue to use all possible means to “combat those who would finance Iran’s destabilising activities.”
The United States has slapped sanctions on over a dozen companies, individuals and vessels -- including three from India -- for facilitating illicit trade and transfer of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) on behalf of the Iranian military. The sanction s were imposed on Thursday, April 25, the US Department of the Treasury said in a statement.As per the US Department, they have played a central role in facilitating and financing the clandestine sale of Iranian UAVs for “Iran’s Ministry of Defence and Armed Forces Logistics (MODAFL), which itself is involved in supporting Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) and Russia’s war in Ukraine,” it said.It has identified Sahara Thunder as the main front company that oversees the Middle East nation's commercial activities in support of these efforts.Among the three India-based companies that supported Sahara Thunder and now face US sanctions are Zen Shipping, Port India Private Limited, and Sea Art Ship Management (OPC) Private Limited, PTI reported.Sahara Thunder, an Iranian military entity, relies on a vast shipping network involved in the sale and shipment of Iranian commodities on behalf of MODAFL to multiple jurisdictions, including the People’s Republic of China (PRC), Russia, and Venezuela, the statement said.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 has been operated and managed by the UAE-based Safe Seas Ship Management FZE.Since 2022, it has used CHEM to conduct multiple shipments of commodities. “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 said.Further, it claimed that Iran-based Asia Marine Crown Agency has served as the port agent in Iran's Bandar Abbas supporting several shipments of Sahara Thunder.“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,” it said, adding that the UAE and Iran-based Coral Trading EST. purchased Iranian commodities from the Sahara Thunder.“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,” Under Secretary of the Treasury for Terrorism and Financial Intelligence Brian E. Nelson said.The official added that the US, with close coordination with British and Canadian partners, will continue to use all possible means to “combat those who would finance Iran’s destabilising activities.”
