India seizes three Iran-linked US-sanctioned tankers, source says

By Saurabh Sharma

NEW DELHI, Feb 16 (Reuters) - India has seized three U.S.-sanctioned oil tankers linked to Iran this month and stepped up surveillance in its maritime zone to curb ‌illicit trade, a source said on Monday, confirming a post on X by Indian ‌authorities earlier in February that had been deleted.

India aims to prevent its waters from being used for ship-to-ship transfers that obscure ​the origin of oil cargoes, the source with direct knowledge of the matter told Reuters.

The seizures and heightened surveillance follow an improvement in U.S.-India relations. Washington earlier this month announced it will cut import tariffs on Indian goods to 18% from 50%, after New Delhi agreed to stop Russian oil imports.

The three ‌sanctioned vessels - Stellar Ruby, Asphalt Star ⁠and Al Jafzia - frequently changed their identities to evade law enforcement by coastal states, the source said, adding that their owners were based overseas.

https://www.yahoo.com/news/articles/india-seizes-iran-linked-us-133736591.html