Daijiworld Media Network - Mumbai

Mumbai, Feb 17: Indian authorities have seized three oil tankers allegedly linked to Iran and sanctioned by the United States in a coordinated operation off the Mumbai coast, officials confirmed on Tuesday.

The vessels were intercepted in the Arabian Sea during a routine maritime surveillance exercise carried out by the Indian Coast Guard (ICG), in coordination with the Directorate General of Shipping. According to a statement issued by the defence ministry, the ships were located around 100 nautical miles west of Mumbai within India’s Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ).

Officials said the operation was launched after the ICG’s technology-enabled surveillance systems detected a motor tanker engaged in suspicious activity. A subsequent digital investigation and data pattern analysis of vessel movements led to the identification of two additional vessels converging near the tanker. Authorities suspect the ships were involved in an illicit ship-to-ship transfer of oil cargo, allegedly aimed at evading substantial duties owed to coastal states, including India.

Sources indicated that the tankers, reportedly operating under foreign flags, are believed to have indirect links to entities blacklisted by the U.S. Treasury for facilitating Iranian oil exports in violation of American sanctions. Preliminary findings suggest the vessels were carrying crude oil cargo suspected to be of Iranian origin.

The development comes amid intensified global scrutiny of shipping networks accused by Washington of helping Tehran bypass sanctions through so-called “shadow fleet” operations, including flag-hopping, complex ownership structures and covert transfers at sea.

Meanwhile, the National Iranian Oil Company (NIOC) has reportedly stated that the seized tankers and their cargo have no connection to the company, according to Iranian state media cited.

Further investigations are underway to ascertain the ownership details of the vessels and the nature of the cargo.