India Seizes 3 US-Sanctioned Iranian Oil Tankers; Tehran Responds

New Delhi: In a major development in global geopolitics, India has seized three Iranian oil tankers operating under U.S. sanctions. The move comes in the wake of a recent trade deal between India and the United States, and marks a significant step in safeguarding India’s maritime interests.

The three vessels—Stellar Ruby, Asphalt Star, and Al Jafjia—were reportedly attempting to evade coastal authorities by frequently changing their identities. The tankers are owned by entities based abroad. Indian officials had briefly posted details of the seizure on social media on 6 February, but later deleted it.

Why India Took Action

India aims to ensure that its maritime zones are not used for ship-to-ship transfers intended to obscure the true identity of oil cargoes. Such transfers are commonly used to bypass sanctions and evade tracking, posing security and regulatory risks.

Improving India–US Relations

The seizure comes at a time of improving ties between Washington and New Delhi. Earlier this month, the United States announced it would reduce import tariffs on Indian goods from 50% to 18%. Additionally, the U.S. claimed that India had agreed to halt oil imports from Russia, signaling closer economic cooperation.

Details of the Seizure

According to the deleted social media post, the vessels were intercepted roughly 100 nautical miles west of Mumbai after suspicious activity was detected on one tanker. They were subsequently escorted to Mumbai for further investigation. Since the seizure, the Indian Coast Guard has intensified surveillance in the area, deploying approximately 55 ships and 10–12 aircraft to monitor maritime traffic around the clock.

Iran’s Response

The National Iranian Oil Company stated that the seized ships and their cargo have no connection with Iran.

The Risks Involved

Oil and fuel under sanctions are often traded at significant discounts due to the high risk involved. Middlemen frequently rely on layered ownership structures, falsified paperwork, and mid-sea transfers to conceal cargo origins and avoid enforcement scrutiny.