Amid tariff tensions, the US dealt a major blow to India, banning these companies and eight citizens.

US imposes sanctions: America has made it clear that it will not spare any country, company, or individual associated with Iran's oil and petrochemical business.

US agencies have sanctioned eight Indian citizens and ten companies for their alleged involvement in Iran's oil and petrochemical business. This action is part of a new round of international sanctions. The US Department of State and the Treasury have collectively imposed sanctions on more than 100 individuals, companies, and vessels. Several Indians and India-based companies have been added to the list of the US Treasury Department's Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC).

Several Indian nationals are on the US Treasury list

include Niti Umesh Bhatt, Kamala K. Kasat, Kunal Kasat, and Poonam Kasat of Mumbai. Sanctions have also been imposed against Tamil Nadu-born Ayyappan Raja, Varun Pula of Tirupati, Piyush Maganlal Javia, and Sonia Shrestha. All of them are accused of playing key roles in the oil and gas business linked to Iran and violating US sanctions.

US officials allege that Varun Pula's company, Bertha Shipping, transported approximately four million barrels of Iranian LPG

to China using a Comoros-flagged vessel. Similarly, Ayyappan Raja's company, Evi Lines, based in the Marshall Islands, transported one million barrels of LPG to China using a Panama-flagged vessel. Sonia Shrestha's India-based company, Vega Star Ships, is accused of using the Comoros-flagged vessel 'NEPTA' to supply LPG from Iran to Pakistan.

Indian companies accused of large-scale imports

According to the US State Department, between January 2024 and January 2025, India's CJ Shah & Company imported petrochemical products from Iran worth $44 million. Zavia-based Chemovic is accused of importing Iranian petrochemical products worth $7 million. BK Sales Corp. is accused of importing Iranian products worth $235 million, while Modi Chem is accused of importing Iranian products worth $49 million between January 2024 and February 2025.

 

Additionally, Parichem Resources imported $2 million worth of petrochemical products from several companies, including Shivnani Organics FZE, which is on the US sanctions list, between May and November 2024. These products also contained chemical ingredients such as toluene.

Haresh Petrochem and Indisol are also facing US action

. Niti Bhatt's company, Indisol, is accused of making shipments worth $74 million between January and December 2024. Similarly, Haresh Petrochem, owned by the Kasat family, imported Iranian-origin products worth $10 million over the next 13 months, starting in January 2024. All these transactions are considered violations of US sanctions.

The United

The United States has made it clear that it will not spare any country, company, or individual involved in Iran's oil and petrochemical trade. Washington says it aims to make international sanctions against Tehran more effective through such actions.