Iran Sanctions: US Targets Five Indian Nationals and Two Mumbai-Based Companies

In an attempt to sabotage networks connected to the nation’s oil trade, the United States has placed sanctions related to Iran on two Mumbai-based enterprises and five Indian citizens. The Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) of the US Treasury Department announced the actions on October 8.

Ketan Manohar Kochikar, Bhupendrasingh Dhalsingh Sahu, Dhwani Nisarg Vora, Nisarg Samir Vora, and Harishyam Hariharan Chundakattil are the action’s names. Mumbai-based Samudra Marine Services Private Limited and SSPL Solutions Private Limited are the two listed businesses.

Executive Order 13846, which permits the US to impose sanctions on Iran’s petroleum industry and other activities, was used to make the designations.

Iran Sanctions: Five Indians and Two Companies Named

Treasury records link three of the aforementioned people to Samudra Marine Services Private Limited. They are Chondakattil, Kochikar, and Sahu. The other two persons, Dhwani Vora and Nisarg Vora, are affiliated with SSPL Solutions Private Limited.

However, the published documents do not specify what role each individual allegedly performed in Iran-related activities. The designations identify the persons and their connected businesses without offering any additional information about their suspected involvement.

The penalties are part of a larger US campaign to limit Iran’s oil-related revenue and disrupt networks that Washington accuses of allowing Tehran to continue selling petroleum despite existing restrictions.

US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent announced the initiative, known as Operation Economic Outcast, in August. Its claimed goal is to reduce Iran’s revenue streams and target networks accused of assisting the country in evading sanctions.

According to US sanctions legislation, property and interests in property belonging to designated individuals or entities must typically be prohibited whether they are in the United States or under the control of US persons. Such assets must also be declared to OFAC.

US citizens are typically barred from conducting transactions with designated parties unless an applicable exemption or particular permission allows them to do so.

These prohibitions may also apply to overseas corporations and financial institutions that conduct transactions with designated individuals or companies, depending on whether the relevant activities are subject to US sanctions.

Iran Sanctions Also Target Tankers Carrying Iranian Oil Products

Along with the action against Indian nationals and companies, the US Treasury imposed separate sanctions against boats involved with Iran’s so-called shadow navy. These ships deliver crude oil, petroleum products, and petrochemicals to worldwide markets.

The vessels involved in the action include the Comoros-flagged Paritosh, the Panama-flagged Bitu, and the Bahamas-flagged Gas Lucky.

According to Treasury statistics, Paritosh carried over 100,000 barrels of Iranian bitumen or asphalt in 2026. Bitu transported over 170,000 barrels of the same substance during the year.

Gas Lucky, a liquefied petroleum gas tanker, has transported over 500,000 barrels of Iranian ethylene since 2025, according to the department.

The vessel-related measures, as well as the designations involving Indian nationals and businesses, address various aspects of the Iranian oil trade network.

The US government claims that the broader sanctions operation is meant to cut off financial sources for the Iranian leadership and disrupt the networks engaged in its oil shipments. The latest action broadens the effort to encompass five Indian nationals, two Mumbai-based companies, and additional boats related to Iranian petroleum imports.