US sanctions Indian firm, others for aiding Iran’s military oil network

The United States on Friday sanctioned an alleged network of front companies and shipping facilitators, including an India-based shipping company, for allegedly operating vessels that ferried crude on behalf of an Iranian armed forces oil unit.

According to the US Department of the Treasury, as of early 2025, Mumbai-based RN Ship Management Private Limited, led by Indian nationals Zair Husain Iqbal Husain Sayed and Zulfikar Hussain Rizvi Sayed, operated multiple vessels used by Iran’s Sepehr Energy Jahan, including the already sanctioned tanker SOBAR.

The designation came as Washington targeted a global web of front companies, facilitators and shadow-fleet tankers allegedly used by Tehran to finance the rebuilding of its depleted military after its defeat in the 12-day war with Israel.

The US Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) said the Iranian armed forces have increasingly leaned on covert crude sales to raise billions in hard currency.

“Today’s action continues Treasury’s campaign to cut off funding for the Iranian regime’s development of nuclear weapons and support of terrorist proxies,” US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said, adding that disrupting Iran’s revenue streams was “critical to curbing its nuclear ambitions”.

The latest round of sanctions targets six additional vessels tied to Iran’s shadow fleet, expanding what the Trump Administration says is an ongoing effort that has now blacklisted more than 170 tankers shipping Iranian petroleum.

US officials say the expanded designations have raised transportation costs for Tehran and reduced its earnings per barrel.

Also hit were UAE-based Luan Bird Shipping, Mars Investment and Moon Line Plastics; Panama-based Loire Shipping; Greece-based Altomare SA; and UAE-based Alsafeenah Althahabya Ship and Boats Spare Parts Trading, all accused of materially assisting Sepehr Energy Jahan — the Iranian military’s designated oil sales arm.

As per the US, these firms allegedly chartered or facilitated tankers that collectively moved millions of barrels of Iranian crude in 2024 and early 2025, often disguising origin by routing cargo through multiple intermediaries or mislabelling crude as Malaysian heavy oil.