The United States has levied sanctions against numerous individuals, entities, and vessels, with a notable inclusion of Indian nationals and companies. This measure also extends to a Chinese independent refinery and terminal, impacting a network involved in the trade of Iranian Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG), utilizing nearly two dozen “shadow fleet” vessels. The U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) announced the sanctions, citing the facilitation of Iranian oil and LPG sales and shipments from Iran.
According to the U.S. Treasury, Iran’s oil networks are a primary source of funding for its nuclear and missile programs, as well as its support for militant proxies across the Middle East. Iran maintains that its nuclear program is for peaceful purposes.
Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent stated that the sanctions aim to “degrade Iran’s cash flow by dismantling key elements” of the country’s energy export sector, thereby disrupting its capacity to finance terrorist groups through petroleum-related exports.
Among the sanctioned Indian entities are Bertha Shipping Inc., owned by Varun Pula; Evie Lines Inc., owned by Iyappan Raja; and Vega Star Ship Management Private Limited, based in India and owned by Soniya Shreshtha. The U.S. Treasury also indicated that it has taken possession of over a dozen Iranian “shadow fleet” vessels that have been used to circumvent sanctions.
President Donald Trump, speaking on the sanctions, expressed a desire for Iran’s rebuilding but reiterated that the country cannot possess nuclear weapons.
Specific details of the sanctioned companies’ activities include Bertha Shipping Inc. managing the Comoros-flagged PAMIR vessel, which has reportedly transported approximately four million barrels of Iranian LPG to China since July 2024. Evie Lines Inc. operates the Panama-flagged SAPPHIRE GAS, which has transported over a million barrels of Iranian LPG to China since April 2025. Additionally, Vega Star Ship Management Private Limited operates the Comoros-flagged NEPTA, involved in transporting Iranian LPG to Pakistan since January 2025.