India has seized three oil tankers belonging to Iran off the coast of Mumbai, claiming that the seized ships were parts of the oil-smuggling network in the Arabian Sea.
In a statement, the Indian Coast Guard said the vessels were identified using advanced technology, data pattern analysis and surveillance systems.
The network was involved in ship-to-ship transfers of oil in international waters, moving cheaper oil from conflict-affected regions to other tankers in order to evade taxes and duties owed to coastal states, Indian Coast Guard added.
However, Iranian media reported that the Indian Coast Guard stopped and seized three Iranian oil tankers in the Arabian Sea on charges of smuggling.
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
The reports also linked India’s move to withdraw from the Chabahar Port project to what they described as New Delhi’s contradictory foreign policy and pressure from the United States.
According to Iranian media, the seized vessels include Al Jafziya, Asphalt Star and Stellar Ruby.
Reports said all three tankers were intercepted at sea and later taken into custody, raising concerns about the potential for renewed diplomatic tensions between Iran and India. Some sources view these actions in the context of India’s inconsistent foreign policy and US pressure.
