Washington, Nov 21: In a fresh escalation of pressure on Tehran, the Trump administration has sanctioned Indian nationals and companies accused of handling Iranian petroleum shipments, asserting that the trade finances Iran’s regional proxy groups and arms procurement networks.
The announcement, made jointly by the State Department and the Treasury, targets what officials described as coordinated shipping and aviation operations that help Tehran bypass restrictions on its petroleum exports. The designations aim to sever revenue streams supporting Iran’s destabilising activities across the Middle East.
“The Iranian regime continues to fuel conflict in the region,” the State Department said, noting that profits from illicit oil sales enable Tehran to pursue nuclear escalations, support militant organisations and disrupt critical maritime routes. “This behaviour threatens global economic stability.”
Among those newly added to the Treasury’s Specially Designated Nationals list are Zair Husain Iqbal Husain Sayed, Zulfikar Hussain Rizvi Sayed, Maharashtra-based RN Ship Management Private Limited, and Pune-based TR6 Petro India LLP. The individuals and companies now face strict financial and commercial restrictions.
The State Department said it is naming 17 entities, individuals and vessels from countries including India, Panama and the Seychelles that have participated in Iran’s petroleum and petroleum-products sales. Treasury’s parallel action designates 41 entities, individuals, vessels and aircraft, expanding what officials describe as an intensified effort to disrupt Iran’s energy-export network.
According to the administration, TR6 Petro India imported more than USD 8 million worth of Iranian-origin bitumen between October 2024 and June 2025. The company “knowingly engaged in a significant transaction” involving Iranian petroleum products, the department noted.
The measures form part of Washington’s implementation of National Security Presidential Memorandum-2, which directs maximum financial pressure to restrict Iran’s access to funds used for destabilising operations.
“The United States remains committed to disrupting the illicit funding streams that finance all aspects of Iran’s malign activities,” the administration said. “As long as Iran devotes revenue to funding attacks against the United States and our allies and supporting terrorism worldwide, we will continue to hold the regime accountable.”
US officials said they will keep targeting maritime service providers, dark-fleet operators and traders that enable the transport of Iranian crude and refined products. They noted that the actions are intended to impede Tehran’s ability to arm its regional proxies and threaten American forces.
