The United States has put new sanctions on eight Indian nationals and ten Indian companies who are accused for helping Iran export its oil and petrochemical products, even though global restrictions are still in place. This move is part of Washington’s continuing effort to tighten pressure on Tehran and cut down its energy exports.

As per the U.S. Treasury Department’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC), these sanctioned entities were involved in trading and transporting Iranian-origin petroleum and LPG shipments to different countries, including China and Pakistan.

The individuals named in the list are Niti Unmesh Bhat, Kamala K. Kasat, Kunal Kasat, Poonam Kasat, Iyappan Raja, Varun Pula, Piyush Maganlal Jiviya and Soniya Shrestha. The companies include Bertha Shipping, Evie Lines, Vega Star Ship, CJ Shah & Co, Chemovick, BK Sales Corp, Mody Chem, Paarichem Resources, and Indisol.

Reports says that Bertha Shipping, owned by Varun Pula, played a big role in transporting almost four million barrels of LPG to China during 2024. Some of the other firms were allegedly acting as middlemen, hiding the Iranian source of cargo and making false documents to get around sanctions.

The U.S. government stated that these kinds of activities not only go against international rules but also help Iran to “fund destabilizing activities across the Middle East.” By going after private individuals and companies, Washington wants to make it clear that breaking sanctions will not be tolerated, no matter where the people are from.

Till now, there is no official statement from the Indian government, but experts think that this step could cause some tension in trade relations, especially in the oil and gas sector. India has always tried to keep a balance between the U.S. and Iran, and now it might have to move carefully to avoid any diplomatic issues.

This is also one of those rare cases where so many Indian entities are directly hit under the Iran Sanctions Act. For India, the main challenge will be to follow global rules while still protecting its own energy needs in a complicated geopolitical situation.