U.S. Sanctions Fake-Flag Network Supporting Iran’s Shadow Fleet

The United States imposed sanctions on November 4 against 13 people and companies in a network accused of supplying fraudulent ship registrations to Iran’s shadow fleet. Washington also designated Türkiye-based Fugo Ground Services Inc for servicing sanctioned Iranian airlines. The Treasury Department said the maritime network helped vessels transport Iranian petroleum, including ships operating for Iran’s military and proxies. Treasury identified Chandigarh-based Suniel Kumar Sharma and his wife, Jaspreet Preeti Shahid, as the network’s operators. It accused their companies of impersonating national shipping registries and selling false flags and maritime certificates. The State Department named purported registries for Guyana, Eswatini, Aruba, Mali, Mozambique, Malawi, Sint Maarten and Timor-Leste, saying most of the relevant governments had publicly rejected those registries. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said: “We know where you are, and we will sanction those who continue supporting the Iranian regime, whether by land, sea, or air.” Treasury said Fugo services six sanctioned Iranian carriers: Iran Air Tour, Saha, Sepehran, Varesh, Taban and Ata. It said the company began serving several of them after their September 8 designations. The action was taken under Executive Order 13902. It blocks designated persons’ property under U.S. jurisdiction and generally prohibits transactions involving that property, subject to applicable authorizations and exemptions. Entities owned at least 50% by blocked persons are also covered. State urged flag states, ports and shipping companies to check registrations and deny shadow-fleet vessels access. Treasury placed the action within Operation Economic Outcast, announced on August 24 to disrupt Iranian revenue and sanctions evasion supporting terrorism and weapons proliferation.