US Sanctions 8 Indians And 10 Companies As Trump Targets Iran Oil Trade Links

US Imposes Sanctions: The United States has imposed sanctions on eight Indians and 10 Indian companies for importing oil from Iran. The US State Department took action against 40 individuals, entities, and vessels, while the US Treasury took action against 60 entities. The list of the US Treasury's Office of Foreign Assets Control includes Niti Unmesh Bhatt, Kamala K Kast, Kunal Kast and Poonam Kast (all residents of Mumbai), Ayyappan Raja of Tamil Nadu, Varun Pula of Tirupati, besides Piyush Maganlal Jivia and Sonia Shrestha.

The 10 companies sanctioned include Pula-based Bertha Schiffing, which is accused of transporting nearly 4 million barrels of Iranian LPG to China using a Comoros-owned vessel.

Iran LPG exports bypass sanctions

Similarly, Raja Marshall-based AV Lines, which owns a Panama-flagged ship, shipped 1 million barrels of LPG to China. Shrestha, owner of the India-based Vega Star ship, used the Comoros-flagged Nepta to transport Iranian LPG to Pakistan. These shipments highlight the widespread network being used for Iranian energy exports despite sanctions. Analysts believe such movements indicate Iran’s growing shadow trade through smaller shipping companies. The US said these networks are designed to bypass restrictions and disguise the true origin of oil and gas.

Indian firms importing Iranian petrochemicals

The US State Department said in a statement that between January 2024 and January 2025, India-based petrochemicals company CJ Shah & Co. imported $44 million worth of Iranian-origin petrochemical products from several companies. Chemovik, owned by Javika, is also accused of importing $7 million worth of Iranian-origin petrochemicals.

BK Sales Corp reportedly imported petrochemical products worth $235 million while Modi Chem imported Iranian petrochems worth $49 million between January 2024 and February 2025. Officials said these figures prove the continued demand for cheap Iranian supplies in India. Experts warned that reliance on sanctioned goods could put Indian companies at greater risk of penalties. Washington stressed that more firms could face similar actions if violations continue.