Iran Seeks Release Of Seized Ships From India
Iran is seeking the release of three tankers seized by Indian authorities as New Delhi continues talks to secure safe passage for Indian-flagged and India-bound vessels through the Strait of Hormuz, a key shipping route that has come under pressure during the ongoing regional conflict. The issue came up during recent diplomatic discussions between Indian and Iranian officials, with energy cargo movement remaining a major concern for India.
Iran-India Talks On Hormuz Passage
Iran has asked India to release three vessels seized in February during wider talks over the movement of Indian ships through the Strait of Hormuz. The request was raised during a meeting in New Delhi between Iranian envoy Iraj Elahi and officials from India’s foreign ministry. India has maintained that the recent vessel clearances reflect long-standing bilateral engagement and not any direct exchange arrangement.
Three Seized Tankers Off Mumbai
The three vessels named in the report are Asphalt Star, Al Jafzia and Stellar Ruby. Indian authorities seized them near Indian waters after alleging that the ships had concealed or altered their identities and were involved in illegal ship-to-ship cargo transfers at sea. A complaint filed by the Indian Coast Guard linked the vessels to the transfer of heavy fuel oil and bitumen. The three ships are currently anchored off the Mumbai coast.
India LPG Supply And Strait Of Hormuz
The talks come at a time when India is closely watching fuel cargo movement through the Gulf. Iran recently allowed two Indian LPG tankers to pass through the Strait of Hormuz, and one of them returned to western India on Monday. India has also said that 22 Indian-flagged vessels and 611 Indian seafarers remain in the Gulf region, including six ships carrying LPG. With nearly 90 percent of India’s LPG imports coming from the Gulf, uninterrupted Hormuz transit remains important for domestic energy supply planning.
