India, July 31 -- The United States has announced sanctions against at least six Indian companies for allegedly being involved in the trade of Iranian petroleum or petrochemical products.

Apart from targeting at least half a dozen Indian firms, the US Department of State imposed sanctions against 20 entities based in Turkey, the UAE, China, and Indonesia.

"The Department of State is imposing sanctions on 20 entities for their involvement in the trade of Iranian petroleum, petroleum products, or petrochemical products and is identifying 10 vessels as blocked property," a US government statement said on Thursday.

The state department said that the sanctions targeted a terminal operator, vessel management companies, and wholesale buyers t...