Post by : Rameen Ariff

The United States has announced a new round of sanctions targeting more than 50 individuals, companies, and vessels linked to Iran’s crude oil and liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) exports. The move is part of Washington’s continued effort to reduce Iran’s energy revenues and limit funding that could support regional instability.

According to the U.S. Department of the Treasury, several of the newly sanctioned companies have connections to Indian nationals, underscoring the global reach of Iran’s petroleum trade network.

Indian Companies Under Scrutiny

Three India-linked firms have been identified in the latest sanctions list:

• Bertha Shipping, owned by Varun Pula, operates the Comoros-flagged vessel PAMIR, which reportedly carried nearly four million barrels of Iranian LPG to China since July 2024.

• Evie Lines Inc, owned by Iyappan Raja, manages the Panama-flagged vessel SAPPHIRE GAS, which transported over one million barrels of Iranian LPG to China since April 2025.

• Vega Star Ship Management Pvt Ltd, led by Soniya Shrestha, oversees the Comoros-flagged vessel NEPTA, which has delivered Iranian LPG to Pakistan since January 2025.

These firms are part of a broader pattern of Indian-linked entities facing U.S. sanctions for participating in Iran’s petroleum and petrochemical trade, despite international restrictions.

Wider Global Impact

The sanctions reach beyond India, also targeting companies and ships registered in the UAE, Hong Kong, Panama, China, and the Marshall Islands. The U.S. Treasury stated that this coordinated action is intended to block Iran’s ability to generate foreign currency through energy exports.

Since the U.S. withdrawal from the 2015 nuclear deal (JCPOA) in 2018, Washington has intensified efforts to cut off Tehran’s access to global energy markets. While India officially stopped direct crude imports from Iran in 2019, reports suggest that indirect trade continues through intermediaries and smaller operators.

Strategic Pressure on Tehran

Experts say this move demonstrates Washington’s continued determination to pressure Iran’s economy and curb its influence in the Middle East. By disrupting trade routes and sanctioning key shipping operators, the U.S. aims to limit Iran’s ability to fund regional proxies and develop its nuclear capabilities.

However, analysts also warn that these sanctions could drive Iran to expand its clandestine maritime trade, creating more complex supply chains across Asia and the Middle East.

The latest sanctions mark another step in the U.S.’s ongoing strategy to monitor and dismantle Iran’s energy export networks, ensuring that its oil and LPG sales no longer contribute to destabilizing regional activities.

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