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India Seizes Three US-Sanctioned Tankers in Major Blow to Iran’s Shadow Oil Fleet
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India’s Coast Guard has detained three tankers sanctioned by the United States for transporting Iranian oil, according to a statement published on the website of India’s Ministry of Defense on February 7.
The operation, carried out on February 5–6, 2026, was aimed at disrupting what officials described as a large-scale oil smuggling attempt.
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The interception took place on February 5, roughly 160 kilometers west of Mumbai, where Indian authorities stopped three vessels considered suspicious. They were identified as STELLAR RUBY (IMO 9555199), ASPHALT STAR (IMO 9463528), and AL JAFZIA (IMO 9171498).
Following a detailed inspection that included analysis of electronic data, verification of shipping documents, and questioning of crew members, investigators determined that the ships were involved in a chain of unlawful activities. Authorities also confirmed that all three tankers are subject to US sanctions.
On 06 Feb 26, @IndiaCoastGuard busted an International oil-smuggling racket in a meticulously coordinated sea–air operation. The syndicate exploited mid-sea transfers in international waters to move cheap oil from conflict ridden regions to motor tankers, evading duties owed to… pic.twitter.com/erJ31U4xyH
— Indian Coast Guard (@IndiaCoastGuard) February 7, 2026
According to India’s Ministry of Defense, the Coast Guard launched the operation after detecting unusual movements by the vessels inside India’s exclusive economic zone. Monitoring systems first flagged one ship before tracing two additional tankers moving toward it.
Investigators concluded that the crews had planned an illegal ship-to-ship transfer of petroleum products.
Indian officials said the interception delivered a tangible blow to Iran’s so-called shadow fleet, which has sought to bypass international restrictions by covertly transporting oil to foreign markets despite existing sanctions.
The same dynamics can be traced with Russian shadow fleet vessels, with reports emerging that Russia was encountering logistical challenges in its oil exports after a notable drop in purchases from India.
Earlier, Malaysian authorities detained two oil tankers believed to be involved in covert ship-to-ship transfers used to disguise the origin of crude oil, seizing cargo worth hundreds of millions of dollars during an overnight maritime operation off the coast of Penang.
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