US slaps sanctions on Indian, Turkish firms and people for aiding Iran

• The US Treasury imposed new sanctions on Indian and Turkish firms and people for helping Iran, as part of Trump’s “Operation Economic Outcast”.
• It targeted India-based Suniel Kumar Sharma, his wife, two other Indian citizens, and nine linked entities for false flags and certificates on sanctioned oil vessels.
• Turkey-based Fugo Group Services was also sanctioned for supporting Iran’s heavily sanctioned aviation sector, as Washington said it will keep pressure on Iran’s network.

WASHINGTON - The US Treasury on Nov 4 issued fresh sanctions against companies and individuals based in India and Turkey for their ties to Iran, warning that it would continue to go after anyone who supported the Iranian regime.

The sanctions are part of the Trump administration’s “Operation Economic Outcast,” which aims to cut off Iran’s ability to sell oil to fund the war with the United States.

The Treasury last week said its actions were decimating Iran’s economy, driving the rial currency to new lows and sending domestic inflation rates to levels around 90%.

The Treasury said the Nov 4 action targeted what it called “the vast criminal network” run by India-based Suniel Kumar Sharma, his wife Jaspreet Preeti Shahid, and two other Indian citizens who head two of the couple’s businesses, as well as nine separate entities connected to Sharma.

“Their schemes have provided false flags and certifications to sanctioned vessels involved in transporting Iranian petroleum, including vessels operating on behalf of the Iranian military and its proxies,” the department said in a statement.

The department also sanctioned Turkey-based Fugo Group Services for its ongoing support of Iran’s heavily sanctioned aviation sector. REUTERS