The US said the individuals and companies would be blocked from carrying out transactions involving the targeted firms.
The United States on Thursday imposed sanctions on two Mumbai-based companies and five Indian nationals over alleged involvement in the trade of Iranian petroleum products, as Washington steps up pressure on Tehran’s oil revenue network.
The US State Department said that the measures targeted SSPL Solutions Private Limited and Samudra Marine Services Private Limited for allegedly facilitating the import of petroleum products from Iran.
Five Indians named in US sanctions
Two people linked to SSPL Solutions, Dhwani Vora and Nisarg Vora, and three associated with Samudra Marine Services — Ketan Kochikar, Bhupendrasingh Sahu and Harishyam Hariharan Chundakattil — were also sanctioned.
The US said the individuals and companies would be blocked from carrying out transactions involving the targeted firms.
The measures form part of Washington’s wider campaign against Iran, dubbed “Operation Economic Outcast”.
The State Department said it was sanctioning 10 entities, six individuals and five vessels in “connection with trade in Iranian-origin petroleum, petroleum products, and petrochemical products.”
It accused the targeted network of channelling millions of dollars to the Iranian government, helping support what it described as a key source of revenue for Tehran.
“The US government is imposing sanctions on both the buyers and sellers driving this trade in Iranian petrochemical products,” the department said.
US expands pressure on Iran’s oil trade
The State Department also allowed Samudra Marine Services to wind down certain transactions until October 23. Such authorisations give sanctioned parties a limited period to complete existing business and exit affected operations.
Separately, the US Treasury Department announced sanctions against 17 entities and vessels linked to Iran’s “shadow fleet”.