The United States government is playing hardball with India in light of the tariff deadline. The U.S. government has imposed sanctions on six Indian companies accused of importing and marketing Iranian petroleum and petrochemical products.
These sanctions come in the wake of an increasingly hostile rhetoric from President Donald Trump where he called India a dead economy and went on to further insult the country.
The sanctions, announced by the U.S. Department of State on Wednesday, are part of a larger global move targeting 20 entities involved in Iran’s oil trade.
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“These companies have collectively imported tens of millions of dollars’ worth of Iranian-origin petrochemicals,” the State Department said, adding that such transactions “generate billions of dollars in illicit funds for Iran’s destabilising activities.”
By limiting Iran’s oil income, the U.S. hopes to pressure Tehran to comply with nuclear agreements and curb its military ambitions. Trading with Iran risks exposing Indian companies to U.S. secondary sanctions, which can include asset freezes and restrictions. Thus, the U.S. views India’s oil trade with Iran as a threat to its broader goal of isolating Iran economically and politically.
The U.S. said in its statement, the Iranian regime “continues to fuel conflict in the Middle East to fund its destabilizing activities.” It added, “Today, the United States is taking action to stem the flow of revenue that the regime uses to support terrorism abroad, as well as to oppress its own people.”
Here is the list of companies sanctioned, according to ANI:
As reported by ANI, at the top of the list is Alchemical Solutions Private Limited. According to the U.S., the firm imported more than $84 million worth of Iranian petrochemical goods between January and December 2024.
Global Industrial Chemicals Limited is alleged to have acquired Iranian methanol and other substances valued above $51 million from July 2024 to January 2025.
Jupiter Dye Chem Private Limited reportedly imported over $49 million worth of Iranian-origin products, including toluene, in the same period.
Ramniklal S. Gosalia and Company is accused of sourcing methanol and toluene from Iran, amounting to more than $22 million.
Persistent Petrochem Private Limited allegedly brought in roughly $14 million worth of methanol between October and December 2024.
Kanchan Polymers, though on the lower end, is said to have imported over $1.3 million worth of polyethylene from Iran, with some shipments reportedly facilitated by Tanais Way General Trading LLC, based in the UAE.
The recent U.S. sanctions on six Indian companies mark a significant escalation in trade tensions between Washington and New Delhi. These firms stand accused of importing and marketing Iranian-origin petrochemical products, allegedly violating U.S. sanctions aimed at isolating Iran’s energy sector. The sanctions come at a politically sensitive time, as President Donald Trump has intensified rhetoric against India, reportedly describing it as a “dead economy,” further straining diplomatic ties.
The U.S. State Department justified the sanctions by stating that such transactions generate illicit revenue that funds Iran’s destabilizing activities in the Middle East and beyond.