Adani Group Rejects Media Reports Alleging Import of Iranian LPG

On Monday, June 3, 2025, the Adani Group firmly rejected claims published in The Wall Street Journal alleging the group’s involvement in the import of Iranian-origin liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) and potential scrutiny by U.S. authorities.

Adani Group said in an exchange filing, “The Wall Street Journal’s story of 2nd June 2025, by Ben Foldy and Dave Michaels, alleging links between Adani entities and Iranian LPG, is baseless and mischievous. Adani categorically denies any deliberate engagement in sanctions evasion or trade involving Iranian-origin LPG. Further, we are not aware of any investigation by US authorities on this subject.”

What WSJ Report Says?

According to The Wall Street Journal, U.S. officials from the Department of Justice are purportedly reviewing the movements of several LPG tankers that transported cargo to Adani Enterprises, the flagship company of the Adani Group. The report cited maritime tracking data and sources familiar with the matter, suggesting the tankers exhibited behaviours commonly associated with sanctions evasion while operating between the Persian Gulf and Mundra Port in western India.

Adani Group Response on Allegations

In response, the Adani Group reiterated its strict compliance policies and distancing from any Iranian-linked shipping operations.

“As a matter of policy, Adani Group does not handle cargo originating from Iran or carried by vessels flying the Iranian flag at any of our port facilities. This includes avoiding transactions involving ships owned or operated by Iranian entities. This policy is strictly enforced across all our operations,” the company said.

Adani further clarified that its LPG imports are conducted in collaboration with reputed third-party international suppliers and logistics providers. These partners are responsible for vessel chartering and cargo movements, which are carried out in line with global trade compliance frameworks.

“We conduct thorough due diligence and Know Your Customer (KYC) procedures to ensure that none of our trading partners or associated parties are listed under sanctions by the U.S. Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC),” the statement added.

Addressing specific allegations about unnamed vessels such as SMS Bros/Neel, Adani asserted: “We neither own, operate, nor track such vessels. As such, we are not in a position to comment on their current or past operations. However, as a responsible importer, we ensure compliance with all legal and regulatory obligations.”

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The WSJ article also referenced broader geopolitical context, including prior remarks by former U.S. President Donald Trump, who had reiterated in May that entities engaging in trade with Iran would face secondary sanctions.

Adding to the scrutiny, the report recalled a separate legal issue from November of the previous year, when U.S. authorities indicted Adani Group Chairman Gautam Adani and his nephew Sagar Adani on allegations related to bribery and investor misrepresentation in the context of securing power contracts and raising capital in U.S. markets.

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