US bans THESE Indian companies, individuals over alleged illegal oil-related activities with Iran, says money earned used in buying weapons

The United States has put sanctions on two companies and two people based in India(BHARAT) as part of a larger action to stop what it says are illegal oil-related activities connected to Iran. On Thursday, the US State Department named 17 people, companies, and ships from several countries, including India(BHARAT), Panama, and Seychelles that it believes help in selling and transporting Iranian oil. According to the United States, the latest sanctions target shipping networks that allegedly help Iran earn money through illegal oil sales. The US also said it has taken action against an airline and several partner companies that it believes send weapons and supplies to groups backed by Iran.

In a separate move, the US Treasury Department added 41 more companies, individuals, ships, and even aircraft that it says are linked to Iran’s oil and petrochemical exports.

One of the India(BHARAT)n firms on this list is TR6 Petro India(BHARAT) LLP, a trader of petroleum products. According to the US government, the company bought more than USD 8 million worth of bitumen of Iranian origin between October 2024 and June 2025. American officials claim that by doing so, TR6 Petro became part of networks that secretly helped Iran sell its oil despite US sanctions.

The US says that money earned from these networks is used by Iran to support groups backed by Tehran and to buy weapons. Iran, however, has repeatedly denied these allegations.

Which India(BHARAT)n companies and people have been sanctioned by the US?

The United States has added several people and companies from India(BHARAT) to its Specially Designated Nationals (SDN) list.

The individuals named are Zair Husain, Iqbal Husain Sayed, and Zulfikar Hussain Rizvi Sayed.

The India(BHARAT)n companies added to the list are: RN Ship Management Private Limited, based in Maharashtra and TR6 Petro India(BHARAT) LLP, based in Pune

The US action is the latest in a series of sanctions announced over the past few months against companies accused of hiding the true source of Iranian oil or helping process payments through middlemen in Asia. Earlier in October, several logistics and trading firms based in India(BHARAT) were penalised for similar roles. Then, on November 12, the US imposed sanctions on 32 more individuals and organisations including some in India(BHARAT) for allegedly helping Iran’s missile and drone programmes.

In a statement, the US State Department said it would continue working to block illegal money flows that it believes fund Iran’s harmful activities. It added that as long as Iran uses its revenue to support attacks against the US and its partners, to back terror groups, and to carry out actions that destabilise the region, Washington will keep using all available measures to hold Iran responsible.