Washington, Nov 21: The United States has imposed sweeping sanctions on several Indian individuals and companies linked to Iran’s petroleum trade, saying the revenue from these transactions is funneled into Tehran’s weapons programmes and regional proxy networks.
The Departments of State and Treasury announced coordinated actions against what they described as “shipping networks and commercial operatives” engaged in transporting Iranian petroleum and petroleum products in violation of US restrictions. The measures form part of what officials said is Washington’s continuing effort to cut off financial pipelines that enable Iran’s “malign activities.”
“The funds generated by this oil trade are used to support Iran’s regional terrorist proxies and procure weapons systems that pose a direct threat to US forces and American allies,” the State Department noted.
Indian nationals Zair Husain Iqbal Husain Sayed, Zulfikar Hussain Rizvi Sayed, RN Ship Management Private Limited of Maharashtra, and TR6 Petro India LLP, based in Pune, were added to the Treasury’s Specially Designated Nationals (SDN) list. The entities now face asset freezes and restrictions on financial dealings within the US system.
The State Department said it is designating 17 entities, individuals and vessels across countries including India, Panama and the Seychelles, all involved in Iranian petroleum and petroleum-product sales. Parallel Treasury sanctions target 41 additional entities, individuals, vessels and aircraft tied to Iran’s petroleum and petrochemical exports.
Officials said TR6 Petro India LLP, a petroleum-products trader, imported more than USD 8 million worth of Iranian-origin bitumen between October 2024 and June 2025. It is being designated “for knowingly engaging in a significant transaction for the purchase, acquisition, sale, transport, or marketing of petroleum or petroleum products from Iran,” according to the administration.
The State Department said Iran continues to “fuel conflict in the Middle East” by diverting revenue from illicit energy sales to support nuclear escalations, militant groups, and disruptions to maritime trade and navigation. “This behaviour,” it noted, “undermines global prosperity and economic growth.”
Washington said it will continue targeting maritime service providers, so-called dark-fleet operators, and petroleum traders that transport Iranian oil. It added that all actions are being taken under National Security Presidential Memorandum-2, which directs increased pressure on Iran by restricting its access to financial resources.
“The United States remains committed to disrupting the illicit funding streams that finance all aspects of Iran’s malign activities,” the administration said. “As long as Iran devotes revenue to funding attacks against the United States and our allies, supporting terrorism around the world, and pursuing other destabilising actions, we will use all the tools at our disposal to hold the regime accountable
