India Seizes Three US-Sanctioned Ships Linked to Iran Near Mumbai: Report

India has reportedly seized three oil tankers sanctioned by the United States and allegedly linked to Iran, tightening maritime surveillance in a move aimed at curbing illicit trade and Sanctions evasion in its waters. The development was first reported by Reuters, citing a source with direct knowledge of the matter.

According to the report, the vessels — Stellar Ruby, Asphalt Star, and Al Jafzia — were intercepted earlier this month approximately 100 nautical miles off the coast of Mumbai and later escorted to the port city for further investigation.

However, Iran’s National Iranian Oil Company (NIOC) has denied any connection to the three tankers, with Iranian state media asserting that neither the vessels nor their cargoes were linked to the company.

Allegations of Name Changes and Sanctions Evasion

The source cited by Reuters stated that the ships frequently operated under different names to avoid detection by coastal authorities. Their ownership structures are reportedly based overseas, adding complexity to enforcement efforts.

Officials are particularly focused on preventing ship-to-ship (STS) transfers within Indian waters — a method commonly used to obscure the origin of oil shipments and bypass international sanctions. In such operations, cargo is transferred mid-sea between vessels, making tracking more difficult for authorities.

Indian authorities had earlier posted about suspicious tanker activity on X (formerly Twitter) on February 6, though the post was later removed. The source confirmed that the suspicious behavior of one tanker ultimately led to the interception of all three vessels.

Enhanced Maritime Surveillance

Since the seizures, India has significantly strengthened surveillance across its maritime zones. According to the Reuters source, the Indian Coast Guard is now deploying more than 55 ships and 10–12 aircraft for round-the-clock monitoring of territorial waters and surrounding maritime areas.

The increased patrol activity signals New Delhi’s intent to prevent Indian waters from being used for sanctions evasion or concealed oil trade routes.

Sanctions Background and IMO Numbers

The report further noted that three vessels — Global Peace, Chil 1, and Glory Star 1 — were sanctioned last year by the US Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC). Their International Maritime Organization (IMO) numbers reportedly match those of the ships recently seized by Indian authorities.

Shipping data from the London Stock Exchange Group (LSEG) indicates that two of the three intercepted tankers have associations with Iran. Stellar Ruby was reportedly registered in Iran, while Al Jafzia transported fuel oil from Iran to Djibouti in 2025. Asphalt Star primarily operated on routes linked to china, according to the data.

Geopolitical Context

The seizures come amid strengthening ties between India and the United States. Earlier this month, Washington announced a reduction in import duties on Indian goods — from 50% to 18% — following New Delhi’s reported decision to halt Russian oil imports.

Sanctioned oil shipments are often sold at steep discounts due to legal and logistical risks. Traders involved in such operations frequently rely on complex ownership chains, falsified documentation, flag changes, and mid-sea cargo transfers to avoid scrutiny.

Ongoing Investigation

Indian authorities have not issued a detailed public statement outlining the final findings of the investigation. Meanwhile, the denial by the National Iranian Oil Company underscores the diplomatic sensitivity surrounding the issue.

As investigations continue, the seizure of the three tankers highlights India’s increasing vigilance over maritime activity in the Arabian Sea and its efforts to ensure compliance with international sanctions regimes within its jurisdiction.