Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) has sanctioned over one dozen entities, individuals, and vessels that have played a central role in facilitating and financing the clandestine sale of Iranian unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) for Iran’s Ministry of Defense and Armed Forces Logistics (MODAFL), which itself is involved in supporting Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) and Russia’s war in Ukraine on 25th April 2024. Sahara Thunder is the main front company that oversees MODAFL’s commercial activities in support of these efforts.
As per press release by Treasury office Sahara Thunder has entered into time-charter contracts with India-based Zen Shipping & Port India Private Limited for the Cook Islands-flagged vessel CHEM (IMO 9240914), which is managed and operated by UAE-based Safe Seas Ship Management FZE. Sahara Thunder has used the CHEM to conduct multiple shipments of commodities since 2022. Iran-based Arsang Safe Trading Co. has provided ship management services in support of several Sahara Thunder-related shipments, including those by the CHEM.
Safe Seas Ship Management FZE also manages and operates the Palau-flagged DANCY DYNAMIC (9158161), Cook Islands-flagged K M A (9234616), and Cook Islands-flagged CONRAD (9546722), all of which have been used to ship Iranian commodities.
In addition to above companies, following companies were also put under sanction list as were treated as related to Sahara Thunder
- India-based Sea Art Ship Management (OPC) Private Limited.
- UAE-based company Trans Gulf Agency LLC
The CHEM, DANCY DYNAMIC, K M A, and CONRAD are being identified as property in which Safe Seas Ship Management FZE has an interest.