The United States imposed sanctions on several companies, individuals, and vessels, some of which are from India, that are involved in the proliferation of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) for the Iranian military.
Treasury emphasized the critical role these sanctioned entities played in facilitating and financing the covert sale of Iranian UAVs that supports Russia's involvement in the Ukraine conflict. Out of these, Sahara Thunder turned out to be the primary front company involved in Iran's commercial activities with respect to this matter. Listed among these are three companies from India – Zen Shipping, Port India Private Limited, and Sea Art Ship Management (OPC) Private Limited – that were sanctioned for helping Sahara Thunder.
Sahara Thunder is linked with the military of Iran and operates through an extensive shipping network that is involved in selling and transporting commercial goods for Iran's Ministry of Defence and Armed Forces Logistics (MODAFL). These activities range from China to Russia and Venezuela.
Treasury pointed out that Sahara Thunder used the services of India-based Zen Shipping and Port India Private Limited in time-charter contracts for the ship CHEM. This ship is flagged under the Cook Islands and was managed by UAE-based Safe Seas Ship Management FZE. In addition, Tehran-based Arsang Safe Trading Co. provided ship management services for several shipments associated with Sahara Thunder, including for shipments facilitated by the ship CHEM.
Meanwhile, Tehran-based Asia Marine Crown Agency worked as a port agent in Bandar Abbas, Iran, for several shipments associated with Sahara Thunder. Collaboration between India-based Sea Art Ship Management (OPC) Private Limited and UAE-based Trans Gulf Agency LLC was noted in providing ship management services to support the operations of Sahara Thunder. Notably, UAE and Tehran-based Coral Trading EST. were identified as buyers of Iranian commodities from Sahara Thunder.
In his speech, Under Secretary of the Treasury for Terrorism and Financial Intelligence Brian E. Nelson noted with alarm how Iran's Ministry of Defence was destabilizing the region by supporting Russia's actions in Ukraine, targeting Israel particularly, and proliferating UAVs and other military hardware to terrorist groups. He renewed that the United States, with British and Canadian partners, is committed to use all available means to counteract those financing Iran's destabilizing activities.
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