The United States has imposed fresh sanctions on four India-based companies and several Indian nationals accused of facilitating trade in Iranian petroleum and petrochemical products.
The action by the US State Department comes a day after Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent announced “Operation Economic Outcast”, a broader campaign aimed at cutting off Iran’s sources of revenue and increasing the risk of secondary sanctions for businesses dealing with Tehran.
According to the State Department, the sanctioned entities were involved in significant transactions related to the purchase, acquisition, sale, transport or marketing of Iranian petrochemical products.
Which Indian firms were sanctioned?
Among the India-based entities named by the US are Portease Partners LLP, Sadashiva Overseas Limited, PP Softtech Private Limited and Prakrutees Infra Impex Private Limited.
Portease Partners LLP, a customs brokerage firm, was accused of facilitating multiple shipments of Iranian petrochemical products to India. Its partners Indrismiya Ashrafmiya Sheikh and Harish Ramachandra Rangi were also sanctioned.
The US said Sadashiva Overseas imported approximately $69 million worth of Iranian-origin petroleum products from several companies between February 2024 and June 2025.
PP Softtech was accused of importing around $25 million worth of Iranian-origin petroleum products between January 2024 and June 2025. Its director, Prashant Garg, was also included in the sanctions list.
Prakrutees Infra Impex was accused of importing Iranian-origin petroleum products worth approximately $25 million between May 2023 and February 2026.
The State Department said some of the transactions involved Bonjoure Commodity FZE, which had already been designated by the US.
What is ‘Operation Economic Outcast’?
The latest sanctions form part of Washington’s broader effort to put economic pressure on Iran.
The campaign seeks to restrict revenue streams that the US says help the Iranian government finance activities it considers destabilising.
The State Department said its latest action targeted entities, individuals and vessels allegedly supporting Iran through activities involving military procurement, intelligence gathering, missile programmes and petroleum trade.
US officials have increasingly relied on sanctions and financial restrictions as a tool to pressure Tehran.
Why are Indian companies facing US sanctions?
The US sanctions are linked to transactions involving Iranian-origin petroleum and petrochemical products.
Washington has long maintained restrictions on Iran’s oil trade and can impose secondary sanctions on foreign companies that conduct certain transactions with sanctioned Iranian entities.
The latest action therefore creates potential compliance and financial risks for businesses that continue to engage in transactions targeted by US sanctions.
The move could also have implications for companies involved in international shipping, trading, customs clearance and petroleum-related supply chains.
Iran faces mounting economic pressure
The sanctions come as Iran continues to face significant economic challenges.
Iranian officials have acknowledged shortages and mounting economic difficulties. President Masoud Pezeshkian has reportedly warned about the seriousness of the situation and called for an end to the conflict while Iran still retains leverage.
The US administration, meanwhile, is seeking to increase pressure on Tehran by restricting access to international trade and revenue.
The effectiveness of the strategy will depend partly on whether other countries and businesses comply with Washington’s sanctions or continue commercial engagement with Iran.
What did the US State Department say?
Announcing the latest measures, State Department spokesperson Thomas Pigott said the US had taken “sweeping action” against entities, individuals and vessels allegedly enabling what Washington described as Iran’s destabilising activities.
The measures target a range of activities, including procurement for Iran’s military and missile programmes, intelligence operations and transactions involving Iranian petroleum products.
The sanctions against the four India-based companies mark another escalation in Washington’s campaign to restrict Iran’s access to international revenue and trade networks.
