US sanctions Indian and Turkish firms and individuals over links to Iran

The US Treasury announced new sanctions on Wednesday against companies and individuals in India and Turkey over their ties to Iran. It warned that it would keep pursuing anyone who backs the Iranian regime.

The sanctions form part of the Trump administration's "Operation Economic Outcast", which aims to cut off Iran's ability to sell oil to pay for its war with the United States.

Treasury said last week that its actions were devastating Iran's economy, pushing the rial to new lows and driving domestic inflation to around 90%.

Wednesday's action targeted what Treasury called "the vast criminal network" run by India-based Suniel Kumar Sharma, his wife Jaspreet Preeti Shahid, and two other Indian citizens who head two of the couple's businesses. Nine separate entities connected to Sharma were also named.

In a statement, the department said: "Their schemes have provided false flags and certifications to sanctioned vessels involved in transporting Iranian petroleum, including vessels operating on behalf of the Iranian military and its proxies."

Treasury also sanctioned Turkey-based Fugo Ground Services Inc over its ongoing support for Iran's heavily sanctioned aviation sector.