U.S. Targets Fraudulent Ship Registries Used by Iran’s Shadow Fleet

The United States on Wednesday sanctioned a network of individuals and companies accused of operating fraudulent ship registries that helped Iran’s shadow fleet evade sanctions, while issuing a new warning to maritime companies about the risks of dealing with falsely flagged vessels.

The U.S. Treasury Department announced the sanctions on Wednesday as part of Operation Economic Outcast, targeting an India-based network led by Suniel Kumar Sharma and his wife, Jaspreet Preeti Shahid.

According to Treasury, the couple operated a network of fraudulent flag registries and maritime certification services that allowed sanctioned tankers carrying Iranian petroleum to continue operating under flags they were not legally authorized to fly.

Some of those vessels were transporting oil on behalf of Iran’s military and its proxies, Treasury said.

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