Washington expands sanctions on networks allegedly linked to Iran in India and Turkey

The US Treasury Department announced new sanctions on individuals and companies in India and Turkey, allegedly linked to Iran, as part of what it calls the 'economic exclusion operation' aimed at curbing Iranian oil exports.

The US Treasury Department announced on Wednesday a new package of sanctions targeting individuals and companies in India and Turkey due to their ties to Iran. The move is part of what the Trump administration calls the 'economic exclusion operation,' aimed at reducing Tehran's ability to export oil and use its revenues to fund the war with the United States. The sanctions targeted Indian businessman Sunil Kumar Sharma and his wife Jaspreet Preety Shahid, along with other Indian nationals managing two companies owned by the couple, and nine additional companies and entities linked to Sharma. The Treasury accused this network of providing fake flags, documents, and certificates to ships on the sanctions list, enabling them to continue transporting Iranian oil, including ships operating for the Iranian military. In Turkey, sanctions targeted 'Vogo Group Services' for allegedly supporting the sanctioned Iranian aviation sector. These measures are part of escalating economic pressure on Iran, after the US Treasury Department said last week that sanctions had damaged the Iranian economy and contributed to a record decline in the currency's value, with domestic inflation approaching 90 percent.