India Seizes 3 Iran-Linked Oil Tankers Near Mumbai

In a high-stakes maritime crackdown, India has seized three oil tankers—Stellar Ruby, Asphalt Star, and Al Jafzia—about 100 nautical miles west of the Mumbai coast after detecting suspicious movements and identity manipulation at sea. Shipping intelligence indicates the vessels’ IMO numbers match those of ships previously sanctioned by the U.S. Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC), raising red flags over potential sanctions evasion and shadow oil trading.

The tankers were escorted to Mumbai Port for detailed inspection after authorities found that the ships had repeatedly changed names, flags, and other identifiers—a classic tactic used to obscure origin, ownership, and cargo trails.

While reports suggest links to Iran, the National Iranian Oil Company has categorically denied any connection with the vessels or their cargo, with Iranian state media amplifying the denial. Maritime data sources claim Al Jafzia transported fuel oil from Iran to Djibouti in 2025, Stellar Ruby previously flew the Iranian flag, and Asphalt Star operated along China-linked routes—patterns that investigators are scrutinizing for sanction-busting activity. The vessels are owned by foreign entities, adding another layer to the opaque ownership structures typical of the so-called “shadow fleet.”

The operation has triggered a sweeping security response. The Indian Coast Guard has intensified 24/7 monitoring across India’s maritime zones, deploying around 55 ships and 10–12 aircraft to track suspicious movements in the Arabian Sea. Sources say Indian authorities briefly disclosed the action on X on February 6 before the post was deleted, fueling speculation over the sensitivity of the probe.

The case underscores how sanctioned oil trade often works: crude is sold at a discount due to legal risk, intermediaries shuffle paperwork, ships swap identities mid-voyage, and cargo is transferred ship-to-ship in open waters to blur traceability.

With IMO numbers aligning with previously blacklisted vessels—such as Global Peace, Chill 1, and Glory Star 1—the Mumbai seizure shines a harsh spotlight on alleged sanctions evasion networks operating in the region. As inspections continue, India’s message is blunt: the Arabian Sea is not a safe corridor for shadow fleets.