Indian Coast Guard Detains Three Sanctioned Tankers Carrying Iranian Oil

The Indian Coast Guard has detained three tankers that are subject to U.S. sanctions for transporting Iranian oil.

According to the Ministry of Defence of India, the operation took place on February 5–6, 2026, and was aimed at disrupting a large-scale oil smuggling operation.

The interception took place on February 5 approximately 160 kilometers west of Mumbai, where the Indian Coast Guard stopped three suspicious vessels.

They were identified as STELLAR RUBY (IMO 9555199), ASPHALT STAR (IMO 9463528), and AL JAFZIA (IMO 9171498).

Following a detailed inspection, analysis of electronic data, verification of ship documents, and questioning of crew members, specialists established that these vessels were involved in a chain of illegal activities.

The inspection also confirmed that the tankers are subject to U.S. sanctions.

As noted by the Ministry of Defence, the Coast Guard launched the operation after detecting suspicious activity by the tankers in India’s Exclusive Economic Zone.

A detailed analysis of monitoring systems first identified one vessel and subsequently tracked two more that were approaching it.

The crews were planning to illegally transfer petroleum products from ship to ship.

This action by India dealt a significant blow to Iran’s shadow fleet, which attempts to transport oil illegally to various countries despite existing sanctions on its vessels.

Previously, U.S. armed forces, as part of the sanctions regime, had already seized some of these tankers.

In addition to the Iranian fleet, international partners are also stepping up efforts to counter Russia’s shadow vessels.

These operations mainly cover European waters, in particular the Baltic Sea, as well as the North Atlantic.