US Imposes Sanctions on Indian Nationals for Iran Oil Trade

The United States has announced sanctions against over 50 individuals and entities, including three Indian nationals, for their involvement in facilitating the export of oil and liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) from Iran. This action, taken by the US Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC), aims to disrupt Iran's energy export capabilities and cut off funding for alleged terrorist activities.

The sanctions were revealed on Thursday, with Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent stating, "The Treasury Department is degrading Iran's cash flow by dismantling key elements of Iran's energy export machine." He emphasized that the Trump administration is committed to disrupting the Iranian regime's ability to finance groups that threaten the United States.

Among those sanctioned are Indian nationals Varun Pula, Soniya Shrestha, and Iyappan Raja. They were designated under Executive Order 13902 for allegedly acting on behalf of firms involved in transporting Iranian petroleum products. Varun Pula is the owner of Bertha Shipping Inc., based in the Marshall Islands, which operates the Comoros-flagged vessel PAMIR. This ship has reportedly delivered nearly four million barrels of Iranian LPG to China since July 2024.

Iyappan Raja owns Evie Lines Inc., also based in the Marshall Islands, which operates the Panama-flagged SAPPHIRE GAS. This vessel has transported over a million barrels of Iranian LPG to China since April 2025. Soniya Shrestha is the owner of Vega Star Ship Management Private Limited, an India-based company that operates the Comoros-flagged NEPTA, which has been transporting Iranian LPG to Pakistan since January 2025.

The sanctions freeze all property and interests of the designated individuals and entities within the US or controlled by US persons. Transactions involving these blocked persons are prohibited unless specifically authorized. Violations of these sanctions can result in civil or criminal penalties for both US and foreign entities.

This latest round of sanctions is part of a broader strategy by the US to target networks that facilitate Iran's oil trade, which the US claims generates billions in revenue for the Iranian regime, enabling it to support militant groups across the Middle East. The Treasury Department has indicated that those sanctioned can seek removal from the list by following legal procedures.