US sanctions on India: Trump administration sanctions Indian company for director’s role in Iran missile, drone programme

The US has imposed sanctions on 32 individuals and entities linked to eight countries, including India, for supplying materials and technology for Iran’s ballistic missile and drone programmes. The Indian company that is in American crosshairs is Farmlane Private Limited. UAE-based Marco Klinge, who is a director of Farmlane, is one of the key people mentioned in the sanctions document, according to a statement by the US Department of Treasury.

The sanctions announced on Wednesday (US time) are the latest action against Iran’s nuclear programme, which Washington DC says is to build bombs. Tehran insists its nuclear programme is for civilian purposes. The US and Israel conducted aerial strikes on Iran’s nuclear sites in Fordow, Natanz and Isfahan in June.

“Across the globe, Iran exploits financial systems to launder funds, procure components for its nuclear and conventional weapons programs, and support its terrorist proxies,” said Under Secretary of the Treasury for Terrorism and Financial Intelligence John K Hurley.

“At the direction of President [Donald] Trump, we are putting maximum pressure on Iran to end its nuclear threat. The United States also expects the international community to fully implement UN snapback sanctions on Iran to cut off its access to the global financial system,” the statement quoted Hurley as saying.

The Indian company mentioned in the sanctions statement is Farmlane, which is Chandigarh-based, and Marco Klinge is its Additional Director, according to its listing on Zaubacorp, a business research platform.

“Klinge, who has been responsible for the partnership’s procurement from India and China, has liaised between the partnership and suppliers including OFAC-designated China Chlorate Tech Co Limited (CCT),” says the US Treasury Department statement, referring to the procurement of chemicals that could be used in Iran’s missile programme. The OFAC stands for the Office of Foreign Assets Control. It is a financial intelligence and enforcement agency of the US Treasury Department.

Marco Klinge and Iran- and Turkiye-based Majid Dolatkhah coordinated and facilitated the procurement of missile-propellant ingredients for Parchin Chemical Industries (PCI), an element of Iran’s Defense Industries Organisation (DIO) that is responsible for the import and export of chemical goods.

Farmlane is “being designated pursuant to EO 13382 for being owned or controlled by, or acting or purporting to act for or on behalf of, directly or indirectly, Klinge”, says the US government statement. EO refers to the executive order signed by the US President.

Executive Order 13382 was signed by the US President on June 29, 2005, to freeze the assets of proliferators of weapons of mass destruction and their supporters, and isolate them financially. No transaction is permitted with any entity designated under EO 13382.

Earlier in October, the US sanctioned nine India-based companies and eight Indian nationals involved in the trade of Iranian oil, petroleum products, and petrochemicals.

– Ends