Daijiworld Media Network - New Delhi

New Delhi, Aug 25: The United States has sanctioned four India-based companies and three Indian nationals over their alleged involvement in Iran-related petroleum and petrochemical trade as part of Washington’s newly announced “Operation Economic Outcast” aimed at tightening economic pressure on Tehran.

The US Department of State said the action targets entities and individuals allegedly involved in transactions that generate revenue for Iran and support networks linked to its military activities and procurement operations.

The Indian companies named in the latest sanctions are Portease Partners LLP, Sadashiva Overseas Ltd, PP Softtech Private Ltd and Prakrutees Infra Impex India Private Ltd.

Portease Partners, described by the US as an India-based customs broker, was accused of facilitating multiple shipments of Iranian-origin petrochemical products into India. The State Department also designated its two Indian partners, Indrismiya Asharafmiya Shekh and Harish Ramchandra Rangi.

According to the US government, Sadashiva Overseas imported approximately $69 million (around Rs 590 crore) worth of Iranian-origin petroleum products from multiple companies, including US-designated Bonjoure Commodity F.Z.E., between February 2024 and June 2025.

The company was designated under Executive Order 13846 for allegedly engaging in significant transactions involving the purchase, acquisition, sale, transport or marketing of Iranian petroleum or petroleum products.

The US also sanctioned PP Softtech Private Ltd, alleging that it imported approximately $25 million (around Rs 215 crore) worth of Iranian-origin petroleum products between January 2024 and June 2025. Its director, Prashant Garg, an Indian national, was also designated.

The fourth Indian company, Prakrutees Infra Impex India Private Ltd, was accused of importing Iranian-origin petroleum products worth approximately $25 million from several companies, including Bonjoure Commodity F.Z.E., between May 2023 and February 2026.

The latest action is part of Washington's wider effort to cut off Iran's petroleum revenues and disrupt networks that the US alleges facilitate Tehran's military activities and procurement operations. The US has warned that entities assisting Iran's economic networks could face restrictions on access to the American financial system.

US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent described the campaign as an extensive effort to sever Iran's economic lifelines. Washington has also expanded the potential reach of secondary sanctions to sectors including digital assets, technology, gold, aviation and shipping, according to reports on the campaign.

The sanctions come amid escalating US pressure on Iran and follow several earlier rounds of measures targeting Iranian oil revenues, procurement networks and financial channels. The US Treasury had also imposed sanctions in July on entities and individuals in India and other countries accused of supporting Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps and its airline-linked networks.

The latest US action has placed Indian companies involved in legitimate commercial trade with Iran under increased scrutiny. No immediate public response from the four companies named in the latest sanctions was available at the time of reporting.

Washington says the ultimate objective of its sanctions programme is to restrict the revenues and international networks it believes are supporting Iran's military and related activities.