The United States has sanctioned four UAE-based companies with trade ties to Indian firms for allegedly trading in Iranian petroleum products, as part of its continued efforts to curb Iran’s oil exports.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said on Wednesday that the move targets Iran’s attempts to generate revenue to fund “destabilising activities and support for terrorist proxies.”

“These sanctions demonstrate our commitment to holding Iran and its partners accountable for sanctions evasion,” he said.

The State Department said the four UAE firms were involved in “significant transactions” involving the purchase, transport, and sale of Iranian petrochemicals. The companies are accused of helping Iran export these products to unnamed third countries, generating “hundreds of millions of dollars in illicit funds.”

The sanctioned entities include:

• Shivnani Organics FZE
• Solvent Organics FZE
• AlSeerah Trading LLC
• Harold Trading LLC

According to supply chain data from Trademo, all four companies had exported Iranian petroleum products to India.

Additionally, a Turkey-based company was also sanctioned for importing Iranian products.

Under the sanctions, all assets of the listed companies within the US or under American control are frozen, and US citizens are barred from engaging in transactions with them. The restrictions also extend to any entity owning a 50 per cent or greater stake in these companies.

Indian firms linked to shipping and oil trade have previously been targeted under similar US sanctions aimed at restricting Iran’s global oil trade.