India has taken delivery of crude oil from Iran for the first time since 2019 after the United States issued a waiver allowing purchases, the country’s petroleum ministry said. The procurement is part of a broader push by Indian refiners to diversify sources as global supplies have been disrupted by the war in the Middle East, and to relieve pressure on domestic fuel availability and prices.
The petroleum ministry said refiners have “secured their crude oil requirements, including from Iran,” and that there is “no payment hurdle for Iranian crude imports.” It reiterated that India buys oil from more than 40 countries and that firms retain commercial flexibility to source supplies across regions. The ministry also described media reports that a tanker carrying Iranian crude diverted mid‑voyage from India to China over payment worries as “factually incorrect,” while not offering specific reasons for the vessel’s diversion.
Officials say the purchases reflect an urgent need to stabilise supplies after recent disruptions linked to conflict in the region. The government has issued emergency instructions to manage a potential fuel squeeze and engaged with Tehran to arrange safe passage for India‑flagged vessels through hazardous waters. Live vessel tracking showed several tankers bound for India have crossed the Strait of Hormuz recently, including an LPG tanker scheduled to dock in Mumbai, highlighting efforts to keep flows of petroleum products and cooking fuel moving.
Context and wider impact
– India is the world’s third‑largest oil importer and consumer and the second‑largest importer of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG), widely used for household cooking. Disruptions in the Middle East have accelerated efforts to diversify supply lines to avoid shortages and price spikes.
– Authorities must balance ensuring safe delivery of shipments with navigating international sanctions regimes and financial channels that can complicate payments for certain crude sources.
– The government’s public statements are aimed at calming markets and consumers following media reports of vessel diversions and shipping uncertainty.
Related developments in India
– Families of the victims of the June 12, 2025 Air India AI171 crash have written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi asking for the cockpit voice recorder and flight data recorder information to be released or shared privately with families; 260 people died in the accident.
– In Kerala, Congress MP Shashi Tharoor’s convoy was reportedly blocked and his security personnel attacked while he was travelling to a campaign event; police have registered cases and detained at least one suspect.
– A vehicle plunged into an unprotected roadside well in Maharashtra’s Nashik district, killing nine relatives, including six children; rescue teams recovered the submerged car after more than two hours.
– Parts of north India, including New Delhi, felt tremors after a 5.9‑magnitude earthquake in Afghanistan, where at least eight people were reported killed.
– Environment and human‑interest items noted by reporters include Indian scientists growing microscopic algae in large tanks as ‘‘liquid trees’’ to help clean urban air, and a profile of a former fashion insider turned ecological designer working on rewilding projects.
What’s next
Indian refiners and the government say they will continue to monitor shipping routes and vessel movements closely, negotiate for safe transit, and manage procurement across multiple suppliers to shield the domestic market from further shocks. Official messaging is intended to reassure consumers and traders that crude requirements will be met despite ongoing geopolitical uncertainty.