Three tankers seized. Dozens of patrol ships deployed. India tightens its maritime net amid shifting global alliances.
India has seized three U.S.-sanctioned tanker vessels allegedly linked to Iran and significantly expanded maritime surveillance in its exclusive economic zone, according to a source with direct knowledge of the operation.
The vessels — Stellar Ruby, Asphalt Star and Al Jafzia — were intercepted roughly 100 nautical miles west of Mumbai after authorities detected suspicious ship-to-ship transfer activity. Such transfers are often used to obscure the origin of oil cargoes and bypass international sanctions.
Indian authorities have not issued a formal public statement confirming the identities of the vessels, but the source said the ships were escorted to Mumbai for further investigation. A February 6 social media post by the Indian Coast Guard referencing the interception was later deleted.
The United States previously sanctioned vessels with International Maritime Organization numbers matching those of the ships seized, including Global Peace, Chil 1 and Glory Star 1, under measures targeting Iran’s oil trade.
According to shipping data from LSEG, at least two of the vessels have direct links to Iran. Al Jafzia reportedly transported Iranian fuel oil to Djibouti in 2025, while Stellar Ruby has been flagged in Iran. Asphalt Star’s recent voyages centered around Chinese ports.
To strengthen enforcement, the Indian Coast Guard has deployed approximately 55 ships and up to 12 aircraft for continuous surveillance across its maritime zones.
The move comes amid improving relations between India and the United States. Earlier this month, Washington announced it would lower tariffs on Indian goods after New Delhi agreed to halt imports of Russian oil — a shift that signals closer alignment on sanctions enforcement.
By tightening oversight of ship-to-ship transfers, India appears intent on preventing its waters from becoming a conduit for sanctioned energy trade, reinforcing its strategic positioning in a shifting geopolitical landscape.
