US Sanctions: Vessels Seized Linked to Iran Oil Trade – Stellar Ruby, Asphalt Star, Al Jafzia

Indian authorities have seized three oil tankers sanctioned by the United States and suspected of links to Iran, escalating scrutiny of maritime activity in Indian waters and signaling a closer alignment with Washington’s efforts to disrupt illicit oil trade. The vessels – Stellar Ruby, Asphalt Star, and Al Jafzia – were intercepted approximately 100 nautical miles west of Mumbai earlier this month, according to a source with direct knowledge of the matter.

The move comes amid a broader tightening of maritime surveillance by India, with officials determined to prevent ship-to-ship transfers designed to obscure the origin of oil cargoes and evade international sanctions. The Indian Coast Guard has reportedly deployed around 55 ships and 10 to 12 aircraft for round-the-clock surveillance, a significant increase in monitoring capabilities.

While the National Iranian Oil Company has stated that the three tankers have no ties to the firm, investigations have revealed a complex history of identity changes intended to evade detection. According to officials, the vessels frequently altered their registered names and operational details to avoid scrutiny by coastal law enforcement.

Upon inspection, authorities confirmed that the International Maritime Organization (IMO) numbers of the seized vessels corresponded to three ships previously sanctioned by the U.S. Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) last year. The vessels were originally registered as Global Peace, Chil 1, and Glory Star 1 under U.S. Sanctions.

The seizures coincide with a period of strengthening ties between India and the United States. Earlier this month, Washington announced it would reduce import tariffs on Indian goods from 50 percent to 18 percent, following New Delhi’s agreement to curtail imports of Russian oil. This reciprocal action underscores a growing strategic alignment between the two nations on issues of trade and energy security.

Data from shipping intelligence firms indicate operational links between at least two of the seized tankers and Iran. Al Jafzia carried fuel oil from Iran to Djibouti in 2025, while Stellar Ruby was sailing under an Iranian flag at the time of its capture. Asphalt Star primarily operated on routes near China, raising questions about potential destinations for the sanctioned oil.

The vessels are reportedly part of a larger “shadow fleet” of tankers managed by Jugwinder Singh Brar, a UAE-based Indian national designated by the U.S. Treasury Department in April 2025 for operating in the petroleum sector of the Iranian economy. This fleet comprises approximately 30 tankers and has been instrumental in facilitating the transport of Iranian oil despite international sanctions.

The incident also casts a spotlight on the challenges of enforcing sanctions in a complex global shipping environment. Ship-to-ship transfers, a common tactic used to circumvent sanctions, make it difficult to track the origin and destination of oil cargoes. The Indian authorities’ efforts to disrupt these transfers represent a significant step towards greater transparency and accountability in the maritime sector.

The timing of the seizures is particularly noteworthy, occurring shortly after an initial announcement by Indian authorities on X (formerly Twitter) – which was subsequently deleted – regarding the interception of the three vessels. The deletion of the post has prompted some speculation, but officials have confirmed the details of the operation to Reuters and other news agencies.

This action by India follows Iran’s own seizure of an oil tanker, the MT Valiant Roar, in December, with 16 Indian crew members on board. While eight of the crew members have since been released, eight remain in Iranian custody. This reciprocal pattern of maritime detentions highlights the escalating tensions in the region and the potential for further disruptions to global oil trade.

The Foundation for Defense of Democracies, a Washington D.C.-based research institute, has been tracking the activities of these vessels for some time, identifying their connections to Iran and their efforts to evade sanctions. The organization’s research underscores the sophistication of the networks used to facilitate illicit oil trade and the need for continued international cooperation to combat these activities.

The Indian government’s decision to enforce U.S. Sanctions represents a significant shift in policy and a clear signal of its commitment to working with Washington on issues of mutual concern. While India has historically maintained a neutral stance on Iran, the recent developments suggest a growing willingness to align with U.S. Interests in the region. The long-term implications of this shift remain to be seen, but it is likely to have a significant impact on the dynamics of the global oil market and the geopolitical landscape of the Middle East.