No Country Should Help Iran Evade Sanctions: Rubio Warns India After Modi-Pezeshkian Meet

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has warned India and other countries against helping Iran evade US sanctions, days after Prime Minister Narendra Modi met Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation summit in Bishkek.

Rubio, speaking to Brian Kilmeade on The Brian Kilmeade Show, was asked whether India was seeking a new trade arrangement with Tehran. “I don't think there's a trade deal between India and Iran,” Rubio said, while acknowledging that countries have the sovereign right to shape their foreign policies and maintain relations with Tehran.

However, Rubio drew a clear line between maintaining diplomatic ties with Iran and helping Tehran circumvent American restrictions. He warned that countries creating financial mechanisms allowing Iran to generate revenue and bypass US sanctions could face penalties from Washington.

“No country should be helping Iran evade sanctions,” Rubio said, adding that countries assisting Tehran in generating revenue that Washington believes could be used to sponsor terrorism or develop a nuclear weapon could themselves be sanctioned.

The warning comes as the Trump administration intensifies its economic pressure campaign against Tehran. US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent announced “Operation Economic Outcast” on August 24, describing it as an effort to cut off Iran’s remaining economic lifelines. Washington has also warned countries and businesses continuing commercial dealings with Tehran that they could face secondary sanctions.

Rubio said Washington itself has maintained contact with Iranian representatives during diplomatic discussions, but stressed that such engagement does not extend to helping Iran defeat the US sanctions regime.

Meanwhile, Modi and Pezeshkian discussed strengthening India-Iran relations, including plans to expand and diversify bilateral trade. They also discussed West Asia’s escalating tensions and the safety of commercial shipping and seafarers.

Modi said India remained committed to its longstanding friendship with Iran and would support efforts aimed at achieving lasting peace. The Ministry of External Affairs said he reiterated India’s position that regional disputes should be resolved through dialogue and diplomacy.

The leaders also focused on maritime security. Modi stressed the importance of protecting freedom of navigation and commerce, saying civilians, civilian infrastructure, commercial vessels and seafarers must not be targeted amid the regional conflict.

Pezeshkian thanked India for its support and urged New Delhi to use its diplomatic relationships to help ease tensions in West Asia. He criticised Washington for choosing confrontation over diplomacy and said Iran did not seek war.