Indian company among dozen sanctioned by US for illicitly carrying Iranian oil
Washington, Oct 12: An Indian shipping firm is among the dozen-odd companies sanctioned by the US for allegedly carrying Iranian oil for sale to buyers in Asia days after slapping restrictions targetting Iran's energy trade for its October 1 attack on Israel.
Gabbaro Ship Services, the India-based company, was involved in the transport of Iranian petroleum as the technical manager of crude oil tanker Hornet and knowingly engaged in a significant transaction for the transport of petroleum from Iran as part of a 'Ghost Fleet', the State Department alleged.
The latest American sanctions against several companies across the world comes in response to Iran's October 1 ballistic missile attack against Israel.
“This attack targeted Israel’s most populated city, Tel Aviv, and could have killed hundreds if not thousands of innocent people,” US National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan said.
Following that attack, the US had made it clear that Iran would face severe consequences, he said, and added, the Departments of the Treasury and State on Friday announced the “new and significant measures to more effectively target Iran’s energy trade.”
“The new designations today also include measures against the 'Ghost Fleet' that carries Iran’s illicit oil to buyers around the world. These measures will help further deny Iran financial resources used to support its missile programmes and provide support for terrorist groups that threaten the United States, its allies, and partners,” Sullivan said.
The Treasury claimed Iran’s oil exports are enabled by a network of illicit shipping facilitators in multiple jurisdictions which, “through obfuscation and deception,” load and transport Iranian oil for sale to buyers in Asia.
Prominent among them include United Arab Emirates-based Max Maritime Solutions FZE (Max Maritime), which used vessels under its management to conduct multiple ship-to-ship transfers of Iranian oil with vessels affiliated with the US-designated National Iranian Tanker Company (NITC), it alleged.
The NITC moves Iranian oil for National Iranian Oil Company (NIOC) to transport it to refineries in the China.
Among the companies sanctions by the State Department are Suriname-based Strong Roots Provider NV, Glazing Future Management NV, Engen Management NV; India-based Gabbaro Ship Services Pvt Ltd; Malaysia-based Alya Marine Sendirian Berhad, and Hong Kong-based Celia Armas Ltd.
Secretary of the Treasury Janet L Yellen said, “Today’s sanctions target Iranian efforts to channel revenues from its energy industry to finance deadly and disruptive activity with dangerous consequences for the region and the world.
Yellen described deadly and disruptive activity as those including development of Iran's nuclear programme, the proliferation of ballistic missiles and unmanned aerial vehicles, and support to regional terrorist proxies. “We will not hesitate to take further action to hold Iran accountable,” she said.
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Human Rights activist Dr GN Saibaba passes away seven months after acquittal in UAPA Case
Hyderabad: Dr Gokarakonda Naga Saibaba, a former Delhi University professor and prominent human rights activist, passed away on Saturday, 12 October 2024, at the age of 58. He died at Hyderabad’s Nizam’s Institute of Medical Sciences (NIMS) after reportedly suffering a cardiac arrest, just seven months after being acquitted in a case where he was accused of links with Maoist groups.
Saibaba, who taught at Ram Lal Anand College, had been arrested under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) for alleged involvement with the banned Communist Party of India (Maoist). Despite the charges, the Bombay High Court acquitted him in March 2024, citing insufficient evidence.
Throughout his ten-year incarceration, Saibaba, who had polio-paralysis, reported severe mistreatment, including being denied essential medication. He became a symbol of state repression, often raising his voice against injustices faced by political prisoners.
A passionate advocate for Adivasi rights, Saibaba was critical of the government’s actions, such as Operation Greenhunt, which targeted tribal communities in the 'red corridor.' He also supported the Telangana statehood movement and spoke out against the arrest of fellow activist Stan Swamy.
Dr Saibaba is survived by his wife, Vasantha Kumari, and his daughter, Manjeera.
