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The Iranian Embassy in New Delhi on Thursday issued a sharp rebuke of Washington’s decision to slap a 25 per cent tariff on all Indian imports and sanction six Indian firms over their petrochemical dealings with Iran.
In a statement posted on X, the embassy accused the US of weaponising the global economy to enforce its political will. "The United States continues to weaponise the economy and use #sanctions as tools to dictate its will on independent nations such as Iran and India and impede their growth and development. These coercive discriminatory actions violate the principles of international law and national sovereignty, representing a modern form of economic imperialism,” the embassy said.
Iran backs emerging non-western bloc, slams 'unilateralism'
The embassy further framed the issue as part of a larger ideological and geopolitical battle. “Resisting such policies is a stand for a more powerful emerging non Western-led multilateral world order and a stronger Global South,” the statement noted.
The comments came a day after US President Donald Trump unveiled sweeping measures against India — including a blanket 25 per cent tariff and an unspecified penalty over New Delhi’s continuing energy and defence ties with Russia. “I don’t care what India does with Russia. They can take their dead economies down together, for all I care,” Trump told reporters on Thursday.
Trade delegation snubbed as Trump doubles down on India
Trump’s announcement came just as Indian officials were preparing to host a US trade delegation later in August, raising questions about Washington's timing and intent. The former US President suggested that the move was consistent with past pressure tactics used in negotiations with Japan, the UK, and the EU.
“India has the most strenuous and obnoxious non-monetary trade barriers of any country. All things not good! India will therefore be paying a tariff of 25 per cent, plus a penalty for the above, starting on August first,” Trump wrote on Truth Social.
US sanctions hit six Indian firms over Iran deals
Meanwhile, Washington also cracked down on Indian companies accused of buying petrochemicals from Iran. The US State Department on Wednesday blacklisted six Indian firms among 20 global entities involved in what it called “significant” transactions with Iran.
The companies named include Kanchan Polymers, Alchemical Solutions, Ramniklal S Gosalia & Co, Jupiter Dye Chem Pvt Ltd, Global Industrial Chemicals Ltd, and Persistent Petrochem Pvt Ltd. These firms are said to have engaged in deals worth millions of dollars involving polyethylene, methanol, and toluene.
Largest Iran-linked action since 2018, says US Treasury
Calling it the “largest Iran-related action since 2018,” the US Treasury announced sanctions on over 50 individuals, entities, and shipping vessels tied to Iran’s petroleum trade. The move, Washington claims, is part of efforts to cut off funding for what it calls Tehran’s “terrorism” and “internal repression.”
“The Iranian regime continues to fuel conflict in the Middle East to fund its destabilising activities,” the US government said in a statement.
English (US) ·