New Delhi, Feb 17: Indian maritime authorities have intercepted and seized three oil tankers linked to Iran that were previously placed under U.S. sanctions. The move follows a period of heightened vigilance in the nation’s exclusive economic zone to prevent unauthorized maritime activities. A source with direct knowledge of the matter confirmed the vessels were escorted to Mumbai for a comprehensive investigation into their operations.
The operation aims to secure Indian waters against the practice of ship-to-ship transfers, which are frequently utilized to mask the true origin of petroleum cargoes. The vessels involved in the seizure have been identified as the Stellar Ruby, the Asphalt Star, and the Al Jafzia. These ships reportedly changed their identities on multiple occasions to avoid detection by coastal law enforcement agencies.
The Indian Coast Guard has significantly expanded its presence to maintain this security posture. The agency currently maintains a fleet of approximately 55 ships and a dozen aircraft to conduct round-the-clock monitoring of the maritime zone. This increase in patrolling follows recent shifts in trade dynamics and diplomatic discussions regarding international energy imports.
“The vessels were intercepted approximately 100 nautical miles west of Mumbai after suspicious activity was detected,” the source affirmed. This individual also noted that the owners of the sanctioned ships are based overseas.
Data from LSEG indicates that the tankers have historical ties to sanctioned trade routes. The Al Jafzia reportedly transported fuel oil from Iran to Djibouti in 2025, while the Stellar Ruby is flagged in Iran. Furthermore, records from the U.S. Office of Foreign Assets Control show that these vessels share identification numbers with ships previously blacklisted by Washington.
The National Iranian Oil Company has denied any involvement with the captured tankers. In a statement carried by Iranian state media, the company maintained that neither the vessels nor the cargoes have any connection to their organization. Despite these denials, Indian officials continue to examine the complex ownership structures and documentation associated with the fleet.
