joe biden
– Photo: ANI/Reuters
Expansion
The US has imposed sanctions on more than a dozen companies, individuals and ships accused of illegal trade and drone transfers with the Iranian military. Three Indian companies are also included in these. The US Treasury Department said these companies, individuals and vessels played a central role in facilitating and financing the clandestine sale of Iranian drones to Russia’s war in Ukraine.
‘Sahara Thunder Iran’ has been identified as the main lead company that oversees Iran’s commercial activities in support of these efforts. The three India-based companies that have been sanctioned for supporting Sahara Thunder include Jane Shipping, Port India Pvt Ltd and Sea Art Ship Management Pvt Ltd.
The department said Sahara Thunder Iran relies on a vast shipping network, which is involved in the sale and shipment of Iranian goods to China, Russia, Venezuela and several other countries on behalf of Iran’s Ministry of Defense and Armed Forces Logistics (MODAFL).
It said, Sahara Thunder has entered into a time charter contract with India-based Jane Shipping and Port India Pvt Ltd for the Cook Island-flagged vessel CHEM (IMO 9240914), which is managed by United Arab Emirates (UAE)-based company Safe Seas Ship Management FZE. Is managed by.
Sahara Thunder has used CHEM to conduct several shipments of commodities from 2022, the Finance Department said. Iran-based Arsang Safe Trading Company has provided ship management services to support several shipments associated with Sahara Thunder. Accordingly, Iran’s Asia Marine crown agency has acted as port agent in Bandar Abbas, Iran, supporting several shipments of Sahara Thunder.
It further said, Sea Art Ship Management Pvt Ltd (India) and Trans Gulf Agency LLC (UAE) have teamed up to provide ship management services to support Sahara Thunder. UAE and Iran-based Coral Trading EST has purchased Iranian commodities from Sahara Thand.