News Desk
TEHRAN: Iran has asked India to release three tankers seized in February, as part of talks aimed at ensuring the safe passage of Indian flagged or India bound vessels through the Gulf via the Strait of Hormuz, three sources familiar with the matter told Reuters.
Indian authorities seized the three Iran linked tankers near Indian waters, alleging that they had concealed or altered their identities and were involved in illegal ship to ship transfers at sea. Tehran has also requested supplies of certain medicines and medical equipment, according to one of the sources, an Iranian official.
Iran’s ambassador to New Delhi met Indian foreign ministry officials on Monday to discuss the issue, the source said. The sources declined to be named due to the sensitivity of the matter. Neither India’s foreign ministry, the Iranian embassy in New Delhi, nor Iran’s foreign ministry responded immediately to Reuters’ requests for comment.
Iran recently allowed two Indian liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) tankers to pass through the strait, according to Indian officials. One of the vessels returned to western India on Monday. Shipping traffic has come to a near standstill on both sides of the strait since the start of the war in Iran.
When asked about negotiations to ensure safe passage for Indian vessels, Indian foreign ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said on Monday that recent movements reflected a “history of engagement, of dealing with each other.” He added that nothing was being exchanged.
Since the start of U.S. and Israeli attacks on Iran in late February, Tehran has responded with attacks across the region, including on ships attempting to transit the Strait of Hormuz. These attacks killed three Indian sailors and left one missing.
India said on Monday that at least 22 Indian-flagged vessels and 611 Indian seafarers remain in the Gulf. Six of the vessels were loaded with LPG, and India is prioritising their passage to ease a shortage of the cooking fuel. About 90% of India’s total LPG imports come from the Gulf.
The tankers seized by Indian authorities are Asphalt Star, Al Jafzia, and Stellar Ruby. Indian officials allege the vessels concealed or altered their identities and movements and engaged in illegal ship-to-ship transfers.
Stellar Ruby is Iranian-flagged, while Asphalt Star and Al Jafzia are registered in Nicaragua and Mali, respectively.
A police complaint filed by the Indian Coast Guard on 15 February, seen by Reuters, said Asphalt Star was involved in smuggling heavy fuel oil that was transferred to Al Jafzia, and bitumen to Stellar Ruby. All three vessels are currently docked off Mumbai.
At the time of the seizure, Iranian state media cited the National Iranian Oil Company as saying the three tankers had no connection to the company.
Jugwinder Singh Brar, whom the United States accuses of running a fleet that transports Iranian oil, said he was a consultant for all three ships seized by India and insisted they had done nothing wrong.
“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,” he told Reuters by phone, adding that he was not aware of any negotiations over the tankers.
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