India to Receive First Iranian Crude Oil in Seven Years Amid U.S. Sanctions Relief
India is set to receive its first shipment of Iranian crude oil in seven years, after the United States temporarily eased sanctions on Iranian oil and refined products to address global supply shortages. Ship tracking data from LSEG and Kpler confirmed the development on Wednesday.
The cargo, carried by the Curacao-flagged very large crude carrier Jaya, was purchased by state-run Indian Oil Corporation (IOC) and is en route to India’s east coast. The vessel had initially headed to Southeast Asian waters for discharge in China before redirecting to India, according to LSEG tracking data. Another carrier, Jordan, is also signaling India as its discharge location.
India, the world’s third-largest oil importer and consumer, has not imported Iranian crude since May 2019 due to U.S. pressure discouraging purchases. The move comes amid supply disruptions caused by the ongoing U.S.–Israel conflict, which have impacted the South Asian nation’s energy security.
Last week, India’s Oil Ministry confirmed that domestic refiners had purchased Iranian oil despite the Middle East turmoil and reassured that there were no issues with payments for these imports.
The return of Iranian crude to India marks a significant development for the country’s energy sector, helping to diversify supply sources and mitigate the impact of regional geopolitical tensions. With IOC leading the purchase, the shipment underscores India’s strategic efforts to secure stable oil supplies during a period of global uncertainty.
