Archive · 9 Oct 2026
US Sanctions Indian Firms in Crackdown on Iran's Shadow Fleet
The United States has placed sanctions on two India-based companies and several of their directors.
US officials say the companies were involved in trade connected to petrochemicals from Iran.
One company, SSPL Solutions, imported products worth $2 million between February and July 2025.
The other, Samudra Marine Services, helped bring several shipments into India.
The sanctions also name people who directed the companies.
These actions are part of a wider effort targeting networks that the US says help Iran earn money.
The US warns that businesses assisting these networks could face penalties.
Some penalties could restrict access to the US financial system.
The United States announced sanctions targeting India-based businesses and executives over transactions involving Iranian-origin petrochemicals.
SSPL Solutions Private Limited imported $2 million in Iranian-origin petrochemical products between February and July 2025.
The US blocked SSPL directors Dhwani Nisarg Vora and Nisarg Samir Vora under Executive Order 13846.
Samudra Marine Services Private Limited was targeted for facilitating imports, and three of its directors were designated and blocked.
The India-focused actions are part of a broader sweep against companies, vessel-management providers, and tankers linked to Iran's shadow fleet.
- Who
- The US government targeted India-based SSPL Solutions Private Limited, Samudra Marine Services Private Limited, and several of their directors.
- What
- Sanctions and blocking designations were imposed over transactions and services involving Iranian-origin petrochemical products.
- When
- The announcement date is not stated; SSPL's reported imports took place from February through July 2025.
- Where
- The targeted companies are based in India; the broader crackdown also involves entities in Türkiye, the United Arab Emirates, and China.
- Why
- US officials said the networks funnel money to Tehran and help Iran sustain activities they describe as destabilising.
- Targeted companies
- SSPL Solutions Private Limited and Samudra Marine Services Private Limited
- SSPL imports
- $2 million in Iranian-origin petrochemical products
- SSPL import period
- February 2025 to July 2025
- SSPL directors blocked
- Dhwani Nisarg Vora and Nisarg Samir Vora
- Samudra directors designated
- Ketan Manohar Kochikar, Bhupendrasingh Dhalsingh Sahu, and Harishyam Hariharan Chundakattil
- Legal authority cited
- Executive Order 13846, cited for blocking the two SSPL directors
- Potential penalties
- The US warned of severe penalties, including secondary sanctions that could cut entities off from the US financial system.