Washington: The US on Thursday slapped sanctions on three Indian companies – Zen Shipping, Port India Private Limited, and Sea Art Ship Management (OPC) Private Ltd – for facilitating clandestine sale on behalf of the Iranian military of unmanned aerial vehicles to Russia for its war in Ukraine. They were among a dozen companies, individuals and vessels sanctioned by the Department of Treasury.
Sahara Thunder – which was identified as the main front company that oversees Iran’s commercial activities in support of these efforts – entered into time-charter contracts with Zen Shipping and Port India Private Limited for a Cook Islands-flagged vessel managed and operated by UAE-based Safe Seas Ship Management FZE to conduct multiple shipments of commodities since 2022, the US said. Sea Art and UAE-based Trans Gulf Agency worked together to provide ship management services in support of Sahara Thunder, it added.
Sahara Thunder – which was identified as the main front company that oversees Iran’s commercial activities in support of these efforts – entered into time-charter contracts with Zen Shipping and Port India Private Limited for a Cook Islands-flagged vessel managed and operated by UAE-based Safe Seas Ship Management FZE to conduct multiple shipments of commodities since 2022, the US said. Sea Art and UAE-based Trans Gulf Agency worked together to provide ship management services in support of Sahara Thunder, it added.