The Indian Coast Guard (ICG) has seized three US-sanctioned oil tankers linked to Iran in a crackdown against an international oil smuggling racket through a meticulously planned sea-air coordinated operation.

According to a report by news agency Reuters, the oil tankers ICG seized have been identified as Stellar Ruby, Asphalt Star, and Al Jafzia. These tankers were intercepted by the Coast Guard approximately 100 nautical miles west off Mumbai coast in India’s Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) on February 5-6, 2026.

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The report further stated that the tankers changed identities to evade interception. After the seizure, they were escorted to Mumbai for further investigation.

The Indian government has also confirmed the seizure, but didn’t mention the Iran links. In a statement, the government said that vessels were involved in the illicit transfer of large volumes of oil and oil-based cargo originating from conflict-ridden regions.

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According to a Ministry of Defence release, “Sustained rummaging of the vessels, corroboration of electronic data recovered onboard, verification of documents, and detailed interrogation of crew members enabled the ICG specialist boarding teams to establish the complete chain of events and confirm the criminal modus operandi.”

How the Coast Guard intercepted the vessels

According to the Defence Ministry statement, the ICG’s surveillance systems identified a motor tanker engaged in suspicious activity within the Indian Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ). Following this, a joint operation was initiated, and subsequent digital investigation and data pattern analysis of vessel movements led to the identification of two additional vessels converging on the tanker.

The ships were allegedly involved in illicit ship-to-ship transfer of oil-based cargo, thereby evading substantial duties owed to coastal states, including India, the ministry said.

Preliminary findings have indicated that the vessels frequently changed their identities to evade detection by maritime law enforcement agencies. The vessel owners are based in foreign countries, but the ministry didn’t confirm their origin.