US adds Iranian LPG smuggling network and exchange house to sanctions list

9 June 2026

The US has added 4 people, 10 entities, and 6 vessels involved in smuggling Iranian LPG and facilitating foreign currency transactions for sanctioned Iranian banks, pursuant to EO 13902 – press release. The US sanctioned:

• Sarbaz Abdul Zada and Mohammad Shakol Mihandoust, Afghan and Turkish nationals respectively, who operated a network of UAE-based front companies exporting millions of barrels of Iranian LPG to buyers in South and East Asia, falsely presented as Omani in origin.

• Butani Trading LLC, Dundlod Trading FZE, and ADH Energy FZE, the UAE-based front companies used in the scheme.

• Mehrdad Geramian Nik and Partners Company, an Iran-based exchange house that moved hundreds of millions of dollars in foreign currency on behalf of sanctioned Iranian banks including Bank Tejarat, Bank Mellat, and Bank Pasargad.

• Mehrdad Geramian Nik and Romina Geramian Nik, who operate the exchange house.

• 6 LPG tankers used to transport Iranian-origin LPG.

See our US-Iran pages for more information.