WASHINGTON, SEPTEMBER 3: The United States has warned that countries helping Iran circumvent sanctions could face punitive measures, as Washington steps up pressure on Tehran.
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio issued the warning following Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s bilateral meeting with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation summit in Bishkek. The U.S. has also said that it does not currently see a trade agreement being negotiated between India and Iran.
Mr. Rubio said countries would face consequences if they helped Iran bypass U.S. sanctions or created mechanisms that enabled Tehran to generate revenue in violation of the restrictions. Such measures could include secondary sanctions, under which third-country entities can also be targeted for certain dealings with sanctioned entities.
The warning comes as India seeks to maintain its longstanding ties with Iran while continuing its strategic engagement with the U.S. India and Iran have discussed bilateral relations, the safety of commercial shipping and crews travelling through the Strait of Hormuz, and efforts to reduce tensions in West Asia.
Mr. Pezeshkian has also sought a greater Indian role in diplomatic efforts aimed at restoring peace in the region. Tehran, meanwhile, has maintained that it has the economic capacity to continue operating independently despite the sanctions.
The latest U.S. warning is not an accusation that India has violated American sanctions. Rather, it signals Washington’s intention to take action against countries or entities that facilitate mechanisms designed to help Iran circumvent the sanctions regime.
