The United States has imposed sanctions on an India-based couple and several companies linked to them for allegedly helping Iran's shadow fleet transport petroleum through fraudulent maritime registrations and certifications. Washington accused the network of helping sanctioned vessels evade international restrictions.

Announcing the action on Wednesday (local time), US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent warned that Washington would act against individuals and entities supporting the Iranian regime. "As we have said many times, under Operation Economic Outcast, you are either with us or against us. We know where you are, and we will sanction those who continue supporting the Iranian regime, whether by land, sea, or air," Bessent said in a post on X.

In a press release, the US Department of the Treasury identified the individuals as India-based Suniel Kumar Sharma and his wife, Jaspreet Preeti Shahid. The department alleged that they operated a network providing fake flags and maritime certifications to sanctioned vessels carrying Iranian petroleum, including ships allegedly working for Iran's military and its proxies.

According to the Treasury, the couple created fraudulent maritime registries and classification societies. Their websites falsely claimed to offer services on behalf of countries that had not authorised them. The department traced their activities to at least 2014, when they allegedly attempted to impersonate Dominica's maritime flagging authority.

Several India-based companies associated with the couple have also been sanctioned. These include Oceaniek Technologies India, Aryavart Ship Management Private Limited, Precept Trends Private Limited, Polynesia Maritime Private Limited, Alexarya Finserv Private Limited, Alexarya Media and Entertainment Private Limited, Viharaboating Private Limited and Aryavart Maritime and Educational Trust.

The sanctions fall under Executive Order 13902, which targets key sectors of Iran's economy, including petroleum, petrochemicals and aviation.

Separately, the US sanctioned Türkiye-based Fugo Ground Services Inc. for allegedly providing ground-handling and other services to several US-designated Iranian airlines. These include Iran Air Tour, Saha Airlines, Sepehran Airlines, Varesh Airlines, Taban Airlines and Ata Airlines Company. The Treasury said the company continued servicing these carriers despite repeated US warnings about the risks of supporting Iran's aviation sector.

The Treasury also issued an alert to the maritime industry, warning businesses against dealing with potentially falsely flagged vessels. It said fraudulent registrations could help ships involved in illegal activities avoid international rules on crew safety and environmental protection.

Bessent announced Operation Economic Outcast on August 24, 2026. The initiative aims to disrupt Iran's economic lifelines by targeting oil-smuggling networks, sanctions evasion and financial transfers.

Under the latest measures, the assets and financial interests of designated individuals and entities under US jurisdiction will be blocked. Transactions involving them will generally be prohibited unless specifically authorised or exempted. The Treasury warned that violations could lead to civil or criminal penalties for both US and foreign persons.