On Thursday, the United States enacted a new set of sanctions, accusing various individuals and entities of facilitating the export of oil and liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) from Iran.
A statement from the US Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) revealed that sanctions were imposed on more than 50 individuals, companies, and vessels due to their purported involvement.
As reported by ANI, this list also features three Indian nationals. The department characterized this action as part of efforts to dismantle “key elements of Iran’s energy export machine.”
The release indicated, “These actors have collectively enabled the export of billions of dollars’ worth of petroleum and petroleum products, providing critical revenue to the Iranian regime and its support for terrorist groups that threaten the United States.”
The targets of this action include nearly two dozen vessels identified as part of a “shadow fleet,” a crude oil terminal located in China, an independent refinery, and shipping companies engaged in transporting hundreds of millions of dollars’ worth of Iranian LPG.
Secretary Scott Bessent stated, “The Treasury Department is degrading Iran’s cash flow by dismantling key elements of Iran’s energy export machine.”
He further added, “Under President Trump, this administration is disrupting the regime’s ability to fund terrorist groups that threaten the United States.”
Regarding US sanctions on Iranian energy exports, it has been noted which Indian nationals have been sanctioned.
Among those sanctioned are Indian nationals Varun Pula, Soniya Shrestha, and Iyappan Raja. All three were designated under Executive Order 13902 for acting directly or indirectly on behalf of firms involved in the transportation of Iranian petroleum and LPG.
Varun Pula is the owner of Bertha Shipping Inc, based in the Marshall Islands, which, according to the Treasury, operates the Comoros-flagged vessel PAMIR (IMO 9208239). This ship has delivered nearly four million barrels of Iranian LPG to China since July 2024.
Iyappan Raja is the proprietor of Evie Lines Inc., which is also situated in the Marshall Islands and operates the Panama-flagged vessel SAPPHIRE GAS (IMO 9320738). Since April 2025, this ship has transported over a million barrels of Iranian LPG to China.
Soniya Shrestha is the owner of Vega Star Ship Management Private Limited, located in India. Her firm manages the Comoros-flagged NEPTA (IMO 9013701), which has been delivering Iranian LPG to Pakistan since January 2025. The sanctions have also impacted Vega Star.
According to the sanctions, all properties and interests in properties belonging to the designated individuals and entities within the United States or controlled by US persons are frozen. Entities that are 50% or more owned by one or more blocked individuals are similarly affected.
The regulations set forth by OFAC prohibit any transactions by US persons or within the US that involve the properties of those listed under the sanctions unless specifically authorized. Violations may result in civil or criminal penalties for both US and foreign parties.
Additionally, many entities based in Singapore, Hong Kong, China, the UAE, and other locations have also been banned.
The treasury has stated that the primary objective of the sanctions is to induce a change in behavior. Furthermore, it has been indicated that those who have been sanctioned may request removal from the sanctions list by adhering to legal procedures.
