Iran Demands Release of Seized Tankers in Exchange for Safe Ship Passage

Tehran is requesting India return three oil tankers captured in February as part of negotiations to allow safe transit through the Strait of Hormuz. The discussions come as regional conflicts have made shipping dangerous, with Indian sailors already killed in recent attacks.

Tehran has requested the return of three oil tankers that Indian authorities captured last month, according to sources familiar with ongoing discussions between the two nations about securing safe maritime routes through the strategically important Strait of Hormuz.

Indian officials detained the Iran-connected vessels in February near their territorial waters, claiming the ships had disguised their identities and participated in unauthorized fuel transfers at sea.

According to an Iranian government source, Tehran has also requested medical supplies and pharmaceutical equipment as part of the negotiations. Iran’s diplomatic representative in New Delhi held discussions with Indian foreign affairs officials on Monday regarding these matters.

The sources requested anonymity given the delicate nature of the diplomatic talks.

Neither India’s external affairs ministry, Iran’s embassy in New Delhi, nor Tehran’s foreign ministry provided immediate responses to requests for comment.

Iranian authorities recently permitted two Indian liquefied petroleum gas carriers to navigate through the strait, with one vessel arriving back at India’s western coast on Monday. Maritime traffic has virtually ceased in the waterway since regional warfare began.

When questioned about discussions to guarantee safe passage for Indian ships, foreign ministry spokesman Randhir Jaiswal stated Monday that recent vessel movements demonstrated a “history of engagement, of dealing with each other.”

During his regular press conference, Jaiswal emphasized that no formal exchanges were taking place.

Following the commencement of American and Israeli military operations against Iran in late February, Tehran has launched retaliatory strikes throughout the region, including attacks on vessels attempting to cross the Strait of Hormuz that resulted in three Indian crew members’ deaths and one person missing.

Indian officials reported Monday that no fewer than 22 Indian-registered ships and 611 Indian maritime workers remain stranded in Gulf waters.

An Indian government source revealed that six of the trapped vessels carry LPG cargo, and the country prioritizes their safe return to address domestic cooking fuel shortages. Approximately 90% of India’s LPG imports originate from Gulf nations.

Indian maritime authorities confiscated the tankers Asphalt Star, Al Jafzia and Stellar Ruby, alleging the vessels had falsified their identities and movements while conducting prohibited ship-to-ship fuel transfers.

While Stellar Ruby flies an Iranian flag, the remaining two ships are registered under Nicaraguan and Malian flags.

A February 15 Indian Coast Guard criminal complaint obtained by Reuters alleged that Asphalt Star smuggled heavy fuel oil that was transferred to Al Jafzia, while bitumen was moved to Stellar Ruby. All three vessels currently remain anchored near Mumbai.

During the seizure period, Iranian state broadcasters quoted the National Iranian Oil Company denying any association with the three captured tankers.

Jugwinder Singh Brar, whom Washington accuses of operating a shipping network that facilitates Iranian oil transportation, confirmed he served as a consultant for all three seized vessels and maintained their operations were legitimate.

“We were transporting bitumen and there is nothing illegal in doing this. My ships have been there for 40 days and I have faced losses,” Brar stated in a telephone interview, adding he was unaware of any negotiations concerning the tankers.