US Sanctions Indian Firm for Alleged Links to Iran Missile and Drone Programme

In a sweeping expansion of its global non-proliferation campaign, the United States has sanctioned 32 individuals and entities across eight countries—including an Indian company and its foreign director—for allegedly aiding Iran’s ballistic missile and drone development network. The move forms part of Washington’s heightened pressure to curb Tehran’s weapons programmes.

Chandigarh-based Farmlane Private Limited and its UAE-based director, Marco Klinge, have been named among the entities designated by the US Treasury Department. The sanctions, issued under Executive Order 13382, freeze any US-linked assets belonging to the company and bar American institutions or individuals from conducting transactions with the firm.

The Treasury claims that Farmlane and Klinge facilitated the procurement of chemical materials used in missile propellant production for Parchin Chemical Industries (PCI), an arm of Iran’s Defence Industries Organisation. PCI is a key entity responsible for supplying Iran’s ballistic missile infrastructure and chemical components for defence manufacturing.

According to the US statement, Klinge acted as a coordinator between suppliers in India and China—including OFAC-designated China Chlorate Tech Co. Ltd.—and Iran-aligned intermediaries Majid Dolatkhah and others based in Iran and Türkiye. The allegation centres on the sourcing of substances linked to propellant development, which the US argues directly supports Tehran’s missile and drone programmes.

Washington’s action comes amid renewed geopolitical strain involving Iran’s nuclear activity. US officials maintain that Iran continues to pursue a covert weapons programme despite international restrictions, though Tehran insists its nuclear ambitions remain peaceful. Earlier this year, the US and Israel conducted aerial strikes targeting Iranian nuclear facilities in Fordow, Natanz and Isfahan, escalating regional tensions.

US Under Secretary for Terrorism and Financial Intelligence John K. Hurley stated that Iran routinely exploits global supply chains and financial channels to advance its weapons capabilities and support allied militant networks. He said the latest designations reflect President Donald Trump’s directive to enforce “maximum pressure” on Tehran and encourage global partners to uphold UN sanctions mechanisms.

Farmlane’s designation follows a similar action in October, when the US penalised nine India-based firms and eight Indian nationals accused of facilitating Iranian oil and petrochemical transactions in violation of American sanctions.

As Washington sharpens its focus on procurement networks that span Asia, the involvement of an Indian entity signals closer scrutiny of cross-border commercial ties linked—directly or indirectly—to Iran’s defence ecosystem. The development is likely to push Indian companies to re-examine compliance frameworks, especially those dealing with dual-use chemicals, intermediaries in the Gulf and high-risk jurisdictions.