New Delhi: The United States Treasury Department on Wednesday (November 4) issued fresh sanctions against what it called “the vast criminal network” run by India-based Suniel Kumar Sharma, his wife Jaspreet Preeti Shahid, along with two other Indian citizens who head two of the couple’s businesses, and nine separate entities connected to Sharma.The sanctions are part of the Donald Trump administration’s ‘Operation Economic Outcast’, targeted against Iran to cut off its ability to sell oil to stop its economic engagement with other countries. They were announced amidst a fragile US-Iran ceasefire.“Today, as part of Operation Economic Outcast, Treasury targeted the vast criminal network of India-based Suniel Kumar Sharma and his spouse, Jaspreet Preeti Shahid, who have supported Iran’s shadow fleet through a web maritime fraud. 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,” read a statement by the US Treasury.The Trump administration has alleged that Sharma and his wife have, through their base in Chandigarh, defrauded maritime regulatory administrations in multiple jurisdictions in order to establish false flagging authorities and maritime classification societies. It alleged that the duo, purporting to represent nations from nearly every continent, from Guyana to Eswatini and Laos, “allowed the Iranian shadow fleet, including those operating on behalf of the Iranian military and its proxies, to evade international restrictions on their operation”.In addition, Indian nationals Ashwani Kumar Dhiman and Ishwinder Singh have also been issued sanctions for serving as directors of Sharma’s businesses, including India-based Aryavart Ship Management Private Limited.Making the announcement, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said, “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.”The new sanctions come a day after Democrats made huge gains in the US midterm elections, winning control of both houses of Congress. The results have served a decisive blow to US President Donald Trump and the Republican party he leads amid visible disapproval among voters over his politics and rising US inflation due to the war on Iran.Also read: In Photos: How Global Media Covered Trump’s Humiliating Loss in US Mid-TermsThe sanctions list also include Türkiye-based Fugo Ground Services Inc for its ongoing services in support of Iran’s aviation sector.The Wire has earlier reported that India has not allowed Iranian aircraft to fly in and collect medicines since early August, with the Indian government reluctant to facilitate direct flights over fears of US sanctions, having suggested Tehran take a road route.In August, the US had imposed sanctions on four Indian companies and three Indian nationals who it said facilitated the import of Iranian petroleum and petrochemical products. In February, four India-based firms were sanctioned by the US for what it said was their involvement in Iran’s petroleum and petrochemical industry. Six Indian companies and three Indians were also sanctioned in July last year, among other instances.The war began on February 28, when the United States and Israel launched strikes on Iran and killed Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. Tehran retaliated with missiles aimed at Israel and Gulf states hosting US forces, and declared the Strait of Hormuz closed. The closure disrupted global shipping and pushed up oil, fertiliser and commodity prices, hitting Asia especially hard.