Iran urges India to release seized tankers during Hormuz passage talks
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Iran has asked India to release three tankers seized near Indian waters earlier this year as part of discussions aimed at ensuring safe passage for Indian ships through the Strait of Hormuz, according to sources familiar with the matter.
The request was raised during a meeting on Monday between Iran’s ambassador in New Delhi and officials from India’s foreign ministry, the sources told NDTV.
Indian authorities seized the vessels in February, alleging they had concealed or altered their identities and were involved in illegal ship-to-ship transfers at sea.
The ships, identified as Asphalt Star, Al Jafzia, and Stellar Ruby, are currently anchored off Mumbai. Stellar Ruby sails under the Iranian flag, while the other two vessels are registered in Nicaragua and Mali.
A police complaint filed by the Indian Coast Guard on February 15 said Asphalt Star was involved in the smuggling of heavy fuel oil that was transferred to Al Jafzia and bitumen to Stellar Ruby.
Iran has also sought supplies of certain medicines and medical equipment from India during the discussions, according to one of the sources, an Iranian official.
Shipping through the Strait of Hormuz has slowed sharply since the start of US and Israeli attacks on Iran in late February. Tehran has carried out retaliatory attacks across the region, including strikes on vessels transiting the strait.
The attacks have killed three Indian sailors and left one missing, according to Indian officials.
India said on Monday that at least 22 Indian flagged ships and 611 Indian seafarers remain in the Gulf region. An Indian source said six of the vessels are carrying liquefied petroleum gas and New Delhi is seeking their early passage to ease a domestic shortage of the fuel, about 90 percent of which India imports from the Gulf.
Iran recently allowed two Indian LPG tankers to pass through the strait, with one of them returning to western India on Monday.
Foreign ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said recent developments reflected a “history of engagement” between the two countries and added that nothing was being exchanged.
Around the time the ships were seized, the National Iranian Oil Company said the vessels had no connection to it. Shipping consultant Jugwinder Singh Brar, whom the United States accuses of helping transport Iranian oil, said he had advised the ships and denied any wrongdoing, saying they were transporting bitumen legally.