Follow us on Google News
The United States has sanctioned an Indian couple accused of using fraudulent maritime services to support Iran’s oil trade.
Why Has the US Sanctioned the Couple?
The US Treasury Department has imposed sanctions on Indian nationals Suniel Kumar Sharma and his wife, Jaspret Preeti Shahid, over allegations of maritime fraud involving vessels transporting Iranian petroleum. According to the Treasury Department, the couple allegedly operated schemes that supplied false vessel registrations, flags and certifications to ships already subject to sanctions. These included vessels reportedly operating on behalf of the Iranian military and associated groups.
The department alleged that their activities enabled sanctioned vessels to continue operating despite international restrictions. The accusations concern the misuse of maritime documentation and the creation of unauthorised services presented as legitimate regulatory operations.
https://the420.in/fcrf-certified-chief-ai-officer-second-cohort-november-2026/
How Did the Alleged Maritime Fraud Operate?
US authorities alleged that Sharma and Shahid misled maritime regulatory administrations across multiple jurisdictions to establish fraudulent flagging authorities and maritime classification societies operating from Chandigarh. The couple allegedly impersonated authorities from several countries, including Guyana, Eswatini and Laos. Through these arrangements, they purportedly offered registration and certification services to vessels associated with Iran’s shadow fleet.
Such services ordinarily involve recognised maritime authorities responsible for vessel registration, classification and compliance with applicable standards. According to the allegations, the couple used false representations of official authority to provide these services without legitimate authorisation.
What Was the Couple’s Business History?
The alleged activities reportedly began in 2014, when the couple attempted to impersonate the maritime flagging authority of Dominica. In 2023, Sharma established Singapore-based Eswatini Maritime Affairs and International Ship Registry PTE. Ltd., also known as Eswatini Maritime. The company allegedly provided flagging services to vessels transporting Iranian petroleum despite the activities having already been rejected by authorities in Eswatini.
The couple were also accused of creating fraudulent websites claiming to provide services on behalf of countries that had not authorised them. These included vessel flagging, seafarer training, certification and ship classification.
What Has the US Treasury Said?
US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent linked the sanctions to Washington’s broader efforts to restrict support for Iranian petroleum operations.
“As we have said many times, under Operation Economic Outcast, you are either with us or against us,” Bessent said in a statement.
He further warned, “We know where you are, and we will sanction those who continue supporting the Iranian regime, whether by land, sea, or air.”
The sanctions reflect US allegations that fraudulent maritime documentation helped vessels connected to Iranian petroleum shipments evade international restrictions. The reported conduct remains an allegation attributed to US authorities, with the measures directed at the couple’s alleged role in facilitating those operations.
