US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has warned India and other countries against helping Iran evade American sanctions, shortly after Prime Minister Narendra Modi met Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian on the sidelines of the SCO Summit in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan. Rubio said countries helping Tehran bypass US sanctions could themselves face American penalties. Key Highlights Marco Rubio warned countries against helping Iran evade US sanctions. The warning came after the Modi-Pezeshkian meeting at the SCO Summit. Rubio said he did not believe India and Iran were currently negotiating a trade deal. He said countries have the right to pursue their own foreign policies. However, nations helping Tehran generate revenue by bypassing US sanctions could face sanctions themselves. PM Modi said India wants to strengthen its long-standing relationship with Iran and diversify bilateral trade. The two leaders also discussed regional peace, shipping safety and freedom of navigation. Marco Rubio Warns India Over Iran Sanctions Speaking on The Brian Kilmeade Show, Rubio was asked about PM Modi's meeting with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian and whether India and Iran were working towards a new trade arrangement. Rubio said he did not think there was currently a trade deal between India and Iran. At the same time, he reiterated the Trump administration's warning that countries should not help Tehran bypass US sanctions or create financial channels that allow Iran to generate revenue. Rubio Says Countries Could Face US Sanctions Rubio acknowledged that countries have their own foreign policies and that several nations continue to maintain diplomatic contact with Tehran. However, he drew a distinction between maintaining relations with Iran and helping the country circumvent US sanctions. He warned that countries facilitating such mechanisms could themselves be targeted by Washington's sanctions. What Did Modi and Pezeshkian Discuss? PM Modi met Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian during the 26th Shanghai Cooperation Organisation summit in Bishkek. Following the meeting, Modi said India was committed to strengthening its long-standing friendship with Iran and wanted to expand and diversify bilateral trade. The two leaders also discussed the situation in West Asia and efforts to establish lasting peace in the region. India-Iran Trade and Shipping Discussed The meeting also focused on the safety of commercial shipping and seafarers amid heightened tensions in West Asia. India reiterated its position that regional disputes should be addressed through dialogue and diplomacy. The two countries also discussed cooperation through multilateral platforms, including BRICS and the SCO. Modi Invites Pezeshkian to BRICS Summit During the meeting, PM Modi also said he looked forward to welcoming Pezeshkian to India for the upcoming BRICS Summit in New Delhi, scheduled for September 12-13. The engagement comes at a time when Washington is increasing economic pressure on Tehran and seeking to prevent Iran from generating revenue through channels that could circumvent American sanctions. Why Is Rubio's Warning Significant? The comments highlight the growing tension between India's strategic and economic engagement with Iran and Washington's sanctions policy. India has maintained diplomatic and economic ties with Tehran while also stressing the importance of regional stability and freedom of navigation. Rubio's remarks indicate that Washington will closely monitor any activity by foreign countries that it believes helps Iran circumvent US restrictions. Latest India-US-Iran Update The latest development is that Marco Rubio has warned India and other countries against helping Iran evade US sanctions, while saying he does not believe New Delhi and Tehran are currently negotiating a trade deal. The warning came shortly after PM Modi's meeting with President Pezeshkian at the SCO Summit, where India and Iran discussed strengthening bilateral ties, expanding trade and maintaining peace and security in the region
