US Imposes Sanctions on Indian Nationals & Firms Over Iran’s Energy Exports
The United States Treasury Department has announced fresh sanctions targeting individuals, companies, and vessels it says facilitated Iran’s exports of crude oil and liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) to destinations including China and Pakistan. The move is part of a wider US strategy to curb Tehran’s energy revenue streams and reduce funds that Washington says sustain regional proxies.
Among the Indian-linked names cited in the announcement are Bertha Shipping Inc. (linked to Varun Pula), Evie Lines Inc. (linked to Iyappan Raja), and Vega Star Ship Management Pvt Ltd (linked to Soniya Shreshtha). US authorities say these firms and their vessels transported millions of barrels of Iranian LPG earlier this year and in 2024–25.
The sanctions freeze any assets the named parties hold under US jurisdiction and prohibit US persons and companies from conducting business with them. Experts warn that the measures may also prompt wider “de-risking” by international banks and insurers, which could affect other Indian shipping and logistics firms with indirect Iran exposure.
Diplomatically, the action could complicate relations between New Delhi and Washington if Indian companies argue they were penalized without sufficient consultation. For India’s energy and maritime sectors, the sanctions raise compliance risks and may push firms to tighten due diligence, re-evaluate trade routes, or change chartering and flagging practices to avoid secondary impacts.
Washington says the sanctions aim to “degrade” Iran’s ability to earn revenue from energy exports and to dismantle networks that allow Tehran to transfer funds to militant and proxy groups in the region. Observers say Iran may seek more opaque workarounds—such as reflagging vessels or creating intermediary companies—raising an ongoing cat-and-mouse dynamic between sanctions enforcers and sanctioned networks.
We will continue monitoring official US Treasury statements and any response from the Indian government or the firms named in the sanctions. For updates, follow Koshur Reactor.
