The US Treasury has imposed sweeping sanctions on a UAE-based Indian national and his maritime network accused of clandestinely transporting hundreds of millions of dollars’ worth of Iranian oil to global markets in violation of American sanctions.

Shadow Fleet Boss Brar Sanctioned

Jugwinder Singh Brar, based in the UAE, owns a fleet of nearly 30 tankers under several entities including Prime Tankers LLC, Glory International FZ-LLC, Global Tankers Pvt Ltd, and B and P Solutions. His vessels carried out risky ship-to-ship (STS) transfers off Iran, Iraq, the UAE, and the Gulf of Oman, often with disabled tracking systems and falsified documents to mask Iranian origins.

The oil, disguised via blending and false manifests, was sold on international markets at a premium by passing as non-Iranian crude—despite being tied to Iran’s National Iranian Oil Company (NIOC) and the Iranian military.

Deep Ties to Sanctioned Iranian and Houthi Networks

The US Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) linked Brar’s operations to illicit shipping networks involving Houthi financier Sa'id al-Jamal and Iran’s Ministry of Defense (MODAFL) and IRGC-Qods Force affiliates. Glory International’s tankers were used in 2024 NIOC contracts for refueling in Iranian waters, and Prime Tankers ships took part in complex STS operations with sanctioned vessels.

Multiple vessels under Brar’s control—including GLOBAL STAR, GLOBAL PEAK, GLOBAL ELEGANCE—were observed transporting Iranian oil to Oman and the UAE. These tankers falsely labeled the origin of cargo as Iraqi petroleum, allowing Iran to evade sanctions and profit.

Consequences and Legal Scope

Under Executive Order 13902, Brar and his companies were designated for supporting Iran’s petroleum sector. The State Department also sanctioned four related companies and blocked 30 vessels flagged in Panama, Gambia, Palau, and other jurisdictions.

The sanctions freeze all US-linked assets of Brar’s network and prohibit American and allied firms from engaging in any transactions involving the listed individuals or vessels.