The United States has sanctioned four India-based companies and three Indian nationals over their alleged involvement in importing or facilitating the trade of Iranian petroleum and petrochemical products into India.
The latest action is part of a wider US campaign to squeeze Iran’s economy and restrict the money flowing to Tehran through its oil and petrochemical industries. Washington announced the measures under Operation Economic Outcast, a new sanctions drive targeting Iran-linked businesses, financial networks, shipping companies and individuals across several countries.
The four India-based companies named by the US are Sadashiva Overseas Limited, PP Softtech Private Limited, Prakrutees Infra Impex India Private Limited and Portease Partners LLP.
Of these, Sadashiva Overseas, PP Softtech and Prakrutees Infra Impex were accused of importing Iranian-origin petroleum products. The US said the three companies were involved in transactions worth a combined $119 million.
Sadashiva Overseas is the largest of the three importers identified in the US action. Washington alleges that the company imported about $69 million worth of Iranian petroleum products between February 2024 and June 2025. Some of those shipments were reportedly connected to Bonjour Commodity FZE, a company that had already been placed under US sanctions.
The US also accused PP Softtech Private Limited of importing around $25 million worth of Iranian petroleum products between January 2024 and June 2025. Another company, Prakrutees Infra Impex India Private Limited, was accused of importing about $25 million worth of Iranian petroleum products between May 2023 and February 2026.
The fourth company, Portease Partners LLP, was targeted for a different reason. The India-based firm operates as a customs broker, and US authorities alleged that it helped facilitate multiple shipments of Iranian petrochemical products into India.
Three Indian nationals were also sanctioned. They are Prashant Garg, a director of PP Softtech, and Indrismiya Ashrafmiya Sheikh and Harish Ramachandra Rangi, partners associated with Portease Partners.
The US sanctions can have serious financial consequences for the companies and individuals involved. Any property or financial interests belonging to the designated parties that fall under US jurisdiction are blocked. US persons are also generally prohibited from conducting transactions with them.
The measures can create additional difficulties even for businesses operating mainly outside the US. International banks and companies often avoid sanctioned entities because transactions involving the US financial system can expose them to regulatory and sanctions-related risks.
The latest move is therefore likely to attract attention among Indian exporters, importers, banks, shipping companies and commodity traders that have business links with Iran.
Washington has increasingly relied on secondary sanctions to pressure companies outside the US. The objective is to make international businesses think twice before continuing commercial relationships with Iranian entities that fall within the scope of US restrictions.
The broader US sanctions package announced this week is considerably larger than the India-related action. The US Treasury has targeted nearly 60 individuals, companies and vessels linked to Iran, including networks involved in petroleum, petrochemicals, shipping, military procurement and other activities.
US officials argue that Iran’s petroleum trade is one of its most important sources of revenue. By targeting traders, brokers, shipping networks and financial intermediaries, Washington hopes to make it harder for Tehran to sell oil internationally and access the resulting funds.
The campaign comes at a sensitive time for India-US relations. India has traditionally maintained commercial and diplomatic ties with Iran while simultaneously deepening its strategic relationship with the United States.
India has also been an important buyer of energy from the Middle East. Iranian crude and petroleum products have historically formed part of India’s energy trade, although US sanctions have significantly affected direct Indian purchases of Iranian crude over the years.
The latest US action puts the spotlight on the difficulty faced by Indian businesses that want to maintain legitimate commercial relationships with Iran while navigating Washington’s sanctions regime.
For Indian companies, the issue is not limited to whether a transaction is permitted under Indian law. Businesses dealing in Iranian oil, petrochemicals, shipping and trade services also need to consider exposure to US sanctions, international banking restrictions and possible restrictions imposed by foreign partners.
The timing of the announcement is also important because Washington is trying to broaden the economic pressure on Tehran. The new campaign covers areas beyond traditional oil sanctions, with US authorities also targeting networks linked to cryptocurrency, technology, gold, aviation and shipping.
Iran has strongly opposed the US sanctions approach and has criticised unilateral economic restrictions. Tehran has also warned countries against cooperating with Washington’s latest measures, adding another layer of uncertainty for businesses trading with Iran.
The sanctions against Sadashiva Overseas, PP Softtech, Prakrutees Infra Impex and Portease Partners send a clear message that Washington is prepared to pursue companies outside Iran if it believes they are helping Tehran’s petroleum and petrochemical trade.
The move also highlights how complicated international trade with Iran has become. As the US expands its sanctions enforcement, Indian businesses dealing with Iranian energy products will face greater scrutiny, higher compliance requirements and potentially greater financial risk.
The latest sanctions mark another significant escalation in Washington’s campaign to cut Iran’s oil revenue. They also underline the growing challenge for Indian companies caught between commercial opportunities in Iran and the far-reaching impact of the US sanctions regime.
