Mumbai, Feb 17: India has seized three US-sanctioned oil tankers connected to Iran and ramped up monitoring across its maritime zone as part of a crackdown on illicit oil trade and ship-to-ship cargo transfers, according to a Reuters report. The government confirmed the seizure of the tankers in Mumbai but did not explicitly mention the Iran link.
The vessels—Stellar Ruby, Asphalt Star, and Al Jafzia—were intercepted earlier this month about 100 nautical miles west of Mumbai after suspicious activity was detected in India’s Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ). A source familiar with the matter told Reuters that the tankers frequently changed identities to evade maritime law enforcement and were owned by overseas entities.
Authorities had earlier disclosed the interception in a February 6 post on X, which was later deleted. The source confirmed the vessels were escorted to Mumbai for further investigation.
Indian Government Statement
In a statement on February 17, the Press Information Bureau (PIB) said the Indian Coast Guard (ICG) busted an international oil smuggling racket through a coordinated sea-air operation conducted between February 5 and 6. The operation targeted an organised network involved in illicit mid-sea transfers of oil and oil-based cargo from conflict-affected regions.
Coast Guard ships intercepted the three vessels and carried out detailed boarding operations, including examination of onboard electronic data, document verification, and crew interrogation. Investigators found that the syndicate used complex ship-to-ship transfers in international waters to obscure cargo origins and evade duties payable to coastal states.
The ICG said its technology-driven surveillance systems first flagged a tanker engaged in suspicious activity inside the EEZ. Digital tracking and pattern analysis then identified two additional vessels converging on the tanker, leading to a coordinated interception.
Preliminary findings indicate the vessels repeatedly altered their identities to avoid detection. The ships are expected to be handed over to Indian Customs and other law enforcement agencies for further legal action.
Links to Iran
According to Reuters, the US Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) had sanctioned three vessels last year—Global Peace, Chil 1, and Glory Star 1—with IMO numbers matching those of the ships seized by India.
Shipping data from LSEG shows two of the tankers had Iran connections. Al Jafzia reportedly carried fuel oil from Iran to Djibouti in 2025, while Stellar Ruby was flagged in Iran. Asphalt Star mainly operated on routes around China.
Iranian state media, citing the National Iranian Oil Company, claimed the seized tankers and their cargoes had no connection with the company.
Context and Implications
The crackdown comes amid improving ties between New Delhi and Washington, following recent trade and energy agreements and broader cooperation on sanctions compliance and maritime security.
Sanctioned oil is typically sold at steep discounts due to legal and financial risks, with intermediaries often using layered ownership, false documentation, and mid-sea transfers to complicate enforcement.
Indian authorities said maritime surveillance has been expanded, with around 55 Coast Guard ships and 10–12 aircraft deployed across key zones to prevent similar violations. (Agency)
