India Imports Iranian Oil for First Time Since 2019

NEW DELHI (Afghan Verified) — India has purchased oil from Iran for the first time since May 2019 amid disruptions in Middle East energy supplies caused by conflicts involving the United States, Israel and Iran.

India's Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas confirmed that the country's refineries have secured crude oil supplies, including from Iran, with no payment issues reported. The ministry's statement cited broader efforts to ensure energy security amid regional tensions affecting the Strait of Hormuz.

The United States temporarily eased sanctions on Iranian oil last month, enabling the transaction. A shipment of approximately 44,000 tonnes of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) from Iran arrived at the Mangalore port on a sanctioned vessel and is currently being unloaded.

The import marks a significant development after a seven-year hiatus, during which India had refrained from buying Iranian oil due to U.S. sanctions imposed in 2019. The ministry emphasized that the supplies were obtained through legitimate channels, with all logistical arrangements completed without complications.

This move comes as global energy markets face volatility from ongoing conflicts in the region, prompting major importers like India to diversify sources and secure alternative supplies.