US Sanctions Eight Indian Companies, 5 Nationals Over Iran Oil Trade Links

The US on Wednesday (30 July) sanctioned eight Indian companies and five nationals for allegedly helping Iran trade in oil and petrochemicals, as part of its latest crackdown under the “maximum pressure campaign.”

The action targets entities linked to Mohammad Hossein Shamkhani, son of Iranian Supreme Leader’s advisor Ali Shamkhani, and his global shipping network, reported The Indian Express.

The US State Department sanctioned 20 entities and blocked 10 vessels.

Simultaneously, the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) designated over 50 individuals, companies, and 50+ vessels involved in Shamkhani’s network.

Six Indian companies—Kanchan Polymers, Alchemical Solutions (Chemform Trading), Ramniklal S Gosalia and Company, Jupiter Dye Chem, Global Industrial Chemicals, and Persistent Petrochem—imported Iranian-origin petrochemicals, according to US authorities.

OFAC also listed Ensa Ship Management and Shreeji Gems for ties with Shamkhani’s network.

The OFAC reportedly named Indian nationals Mohamed Rafeek Habibullah, Jacob Kurian, Anil Kumar Panackal Narayanan Nair, Pankaj Nagjibhai Patel, and Elyas Jafer Tambe for roles in petroleum trade and shipping operations.

“The Iranian regime continues to fuel conflict in the Middle East... Today, the United States is taking action to stem the flow of revenue that the regime uses to support terrorism abroad,” said the US State Department.

Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent stated, “The over 115 sanctions issued today are the largest to-date... These actions put America first by targeting regime elites.”

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